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Glucosylsphingosine Promotes α-Synuclein Pathology in Mutant GBA-Associated Parkinson's Disease.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience | 2017

Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA) mutations responsible for Gaucher disease (GD) are the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the genetic link between GD and PD is well established, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) are not well understood. We propose that glucosylsphingosine, a sphingolipid accumulating in GD, mediates PD pathology in GBA-associated PD. We show that, whereas GD-related sphingolipids (glucosylceramide, glucosylsphingosine, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate) promote α-synuclein aggregation in vitro, glucosylsphingosine triggers the formation of oligomeric α-synuclein species capable of templating in human cells and neurons. Using newly generated GD/PD mouse lines of either sex [Gba mutant (N370S, L444P, KO) crossed to α-synuclein transgenics], we show that Gba mutations predispose to PD through a loss-of-function mechanism. We further demonstrate that glucosylsphingosine specifically accumulates in young GD/PD mouse brain. With age, brains exhibit glucosylceramide accumulations colocalized with α-synuclein pathology. These findings indicate that glucosylsphingosine promotes pathological aggregation of α-synuclein, increasing PD risk in GD patients and carriers.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population. Glucocerebrosidase 1 mutations, which cause Gaucher disease, are the most common genetic risk factor for PD, underscoring the importance of delineating the mechanisms underlying mutant GBA-associated PD. We show that lipids accumulating in Gaucher disease, especially glucosylsphingosine, play a key role in PD pathology in the brain. These data indicate that ASAH1 (acid ceramidase 1) and GBA2 (glucocerebrosidase 2) enzymes that mediate glucosylsphingosine production and metabolism are attractive therapeutic targets for treating mutant GBA-associated PD.

Pubmed ID: 28847804 RIS Download

Associated grants

  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: T32 NS007224
  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: T32 GM007223
  • Agency: NIAMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 AR065932
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 NS083846
  • Agency: NCATS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: UL1 TR001863
  • Agency: NINDS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 NS064963

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Anti Phosphorylated α-Synuclein (antibody)

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CD68 antibody | FA-11 (antibody)

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a-Synuclein (antibody)

RRID:AB_398107

This monoclonal targets a-Synuclein

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Anti Phosphorylated α-Synuclein (antibody)

RRID:AB_2537218

This monoclonal targets Phosphorylated α-Synuclein

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a-Synuclein (antibody)

RRID:AB_398107

This monoclonal targets a-Synuclein

View all literature mentions

Anti Phosphorylated α-Synuclein (antibody)

RRID:AB_2537218

This monoclonal targets Phosphorylated α-Synuclein

View all literature mentions

a-Synuclein (antibody)

RRID:AB_398107

This monoclonal targets a-Synuclein

View all literature mentions