Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is characterized by the widespread presence of Lewy bodies (LBs) in the brain. α-Synuclein, the main component of LBs, is expressed as two main isoforms (112 and 140), but little is known about their differential expression in the brain. We compared α-synuclein 112 and α-synuclein 140 expression levels in the prefrontal cortices of six DLB patients, eight Alzheimer disease (AD) patients, and six control subjects. Relative α-synuclein 112 and α-synuclein 140 expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction with competimer technology using a LightCycler System. Whereas total α-synuclein levels were just marginally elevated in DLB in comparison with the other groups, α-synuclein 112 was seen to be markedly increased in DLB compared with AD cases and controls. In contrast, α-synuclein 140 levels were significantly diminished in both neurodegenerative disorders in comparison with controls. These results show differential overexpression of α-synuclein 112 in DLB, a finding that could be of importance in DLB pathogenesis.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 601-607 |
Journal | Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2004 |
Keywords
- Alpha-synuclein isoforms
- Alzheimer disease
- Competimer technology
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- mRNA expression