NACP/alpha-synuclein and tau constitute two distinctive subsets of filaments in the same neuronal inclusions in brains from a family of parkinsonism and dementia with Lewy bodies: double-immunolabeling fluorescence and electron microscopic studies

Acta Neuropathol. 2000 Aug;100(2):115-21. doi: 10.1007/s004010050002.

Abstract

The co-localization of NACP/alpha-synuclein and tau epitopes was examined in the brain stem and hippocampal formation in two patients from a family of autosomal dominant parkinsonism and dementia with Lewy bodies (LBs) without two reported missense mutations in the NACP gene. Double-labeling immunofluorescence study revealed that some brain stem LBs, cortical LBs, pale bodies, Lewy-related neurites, and neurofibrillary tangles expressed both NACP epitopes and the PHF tau AT8 epitope. Double-immunolabeling electron microscopy demonstrated that the NACP antibody selectively labeled 9- to 13-nm-thick straight filaments (LB filaments), whereas AT8 recognized twisted tubules with 80-to 100-nm-interval constrictions in the same neuronal inclusions. We show that NACP and tau aggregate into different filamentous components even if both proteins are incorporated into the same inclusions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cadaver
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Dementia / genetics
  • Dementia / metabolism*
  • Dementia / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism*
  • Inclusion Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / genetics
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / metabolism*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / pathology
  • Synucleins
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Synucleins
  • tau Proteins