Neural expression profile of alpha-synuclein in developing human cortex

alpha-SYNUCLEIN is a predominantly neuronal presynaptic protein that may pl ay an important role during synaptogenesis and CNS development. In order to elucidate the human developmental expression profile, we used a polyclonal . antiserum against the NAC domain of alpha-synuclein. In normal fetal cort ex neuroectodermal precursor cells elicited staining in the soma, whereas, in adult cortex, we observed a staining pattern compatible with synaptic fu nction. The same developmental intraneuronal redistribution was found in ne urodegenerative disorders, i.e. somatic staining in neuroectodermal precurs ors in fetal (trisomy 21) and a synaptic pattern in adult (Do Nn's syndrome , Alzheimer's disease) brains. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed ex pression at all time points studied (4-7.5 months) during human brain devel opment. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.