α-Synuclein aggregation and transmission in Parkinson’s disease: a link to mitochondria and lysosome

The presence of intraneuronal Lewy bodies(LBs) and Lewy neurites(LNs) in the substantia nigra(SN) composed of aggregatedα-synuclein(α-syn) has been recognized as a hallmark of pathological changes in Parkinson’s disease(PD). Numerous studies have shown that aggregated α-syn is necessary for neurotoxicity. Meanwhile, the mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions are associated with α-syn pathogenicity. The hypothesis that α-syn transmission in the human brain contributes to the instigation and progression of PD has provided insights into PD pathology. This review will provide a brief overview of increasing researches that shed light on the relationship of α-syn aggregation with mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunctions, and highlight recent understanding of α-syn transmission in PD pathology.