Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), display an accumulation of proteins including ?-synuclein aggregates in cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. PD is a complex, progressive disease which involves damage of motor and cognitive brain regions, as well as autonomic and sensory areas. Since ?-synuclein is a neuronal cytosolic protein, it is assumed that pathogenic changes induced by ?-synuclein aggregates occur only at the cytoplasmic level. However, recent studies have identified the presence of extracellular ?-synuclein, suggesting that the pathogenic action of this protein may also occur in the extracellular milieu through an unknown mechanism. One of the hypotheses is that extracellular ?-synuclein aggregates or oligomers may directly disrupt the neuronal membrane by the formation of a pore reminiscent to the ones formed by ?-amyloid aggregates. Here, we will review some evidence that support this mechanism, analyzing the interactions of ?-synuclein with components of the plasma membrane, the formation of pore/perforated structures, and the implications on ionic dyshomeostasis. Furthermore, we will also discuss how this mechanism can be integrated into a general phenomenon that may explain the synaptotoxicity and neurotoxicity observed in different neurodegenerative diseases. © 2012 Pacheco, Aguayo and Opazo.