TrkB neurotrophic activities are blocked by α-synuclein, triggering dopaminergic cell death in Parkinson's disease

SS Kang, Z Zhang, X Liu… - Proceedings of the …, 2017 - National Acad Sciences
SS Kang, Z Zhang, X Liu, FP Manfredsson, MJ Benskey, X Cao, J Xu, YE Sun, K Ye
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017National Acad Sciences
BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signaling is essential for dopaminergic neuronal survival, and the
activities are reduced in the substantial nigra (SN) of Parkinson's disease (PD). However,
whether α-Syn (alpha-synuclein) aggregation, a hallmark in the remaining SN neurons in
PD, accounts for the neurotrophic inhibition remains elusive. Here we show that α-Syn
selectively interacts with TrkB receptors and inhibits BDNF/TrkB signaling, leading to
dopaminergic neuronal death. α-Syn binds to the kinase domain on TrkB, which is …
BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signaling is essential for dopaminergic neuronal survival, and the activities are reduced in the substantial nigra (SN) of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, whether α-Syn (alpha-synuclein) aggregation, a hallmark in the remaining SN neurons in PD, accounts for the neurotrophic inhibition remains elusive. Here we show that α-Syn selectively interacts with TrkB receptors and inhibits BDNF/TrkB signaling, leading to dopaminergic neuronal death. α-Syn binds to the kinase domain on TrkB, which is negatively regulated by BDNF or Fyn tyrosine kinase. Interestingly, α-Syn represses TrkB lipid raft distribution, decreases its internalization, and reduces its axonal trafficking. Moreover, α-Syn also reduces TrkB protein levels via up-regulation of TrkB ubiquitination. Remarkably, dopamine’s metabolite 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) stimulates the interaction between α-Syn and TrkB. Accordingly, MAO-B inhibitor rasagiline disrupts α-Syn/TrkB complex and rescues TrkB neurotrophic signaling, preventing α-Syn–induced dopaminergic neuronal death and restoring motor functions. Hence, our findings demonstrate a noble pathological role of α-Syn in antagonizing neurotrophic signaling, providing a molecular mechanism that accounts for its neurotoxicity in PD.
National Acad Sciences