Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of alpha-synuclein in the central nervous system of transgenic mice expressing a human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase mutation

Neurosci Lett. 2003 May 22;342(3):151-4. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00237-4.

Abstract

We used the SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice as an in vivo model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and performed immunohistochemical studies to investigate whether alpha-synuclein is involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. In the spinal cord of transgenic mice, immunohistochemistry showed intense staining of alpha-synuclein mainly in the anterior horn. In the hippocampus of transgenic mice, differential increases in the staining density of alpha-synuclein were observed. In the cerebellar cortex of transgenic mice, the prominent immunostaining of alpha-synuclein was found in the molecular and granular layers. The present study provides the first in vivo evidence that alpha-synuclein immunoreactivity was increased in the central nervous system of SOD(G93A) transgenic mice, suggesting that alpha-synuclein might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALS. However, the functional implications of these increases require elucidation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine / genetics
  • Animals
  • Central Nervous System / anatomy & histology
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glycine / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Superoxide Dismutase / biosynthesis
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics*
  • Synucleins
  • Tissue Distribution
  • alpha-Synuclein

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SNCA protein, human
  • Snca protein, mouse
  • Snca protein, rat
  • Synucleins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Alanine
  • Glycine