α-Synuclein Promotes SNARE-Complex Assembly in Vivo and in Vitro

α-Synuclein and Aging

Transgenic α-synuclein can reverse the otherwise lethal neurodegeneration of cysteine string protein-α knockout mice via changes in SNARE proteins, which mediate synaptic vesicle release. Using experiments with purified recombinant proteins, triple αβγ-synuclein knockout mice, and studies of mouse aging, Burré et al. (p. 1663 , published online 26 August) now demonstrate that α-synuclein directly interacts with the SNARE protein synaptobrevin and functions as a catalyst for SNARE-complex assembly. The role of synucleins is fully dispensable in young animals, but becomes essential late in life, which suggests that α-synuclein maintains normal synaptic function during aging.