| Summary: | The alpha-synucleinopathies is a diverse group of diseases characterised by malfunctioning of alpha-synuclein protein. Parkinson’s disease is the most common of all alpha-synucleinopathies. Intracellular inclusions, like Lewy bodies and certain other abnormal structures are the pathological hallmarks of this group of neurodegenerative diseases. The main protein component of these structures is alpha-synuclien. Alpha-synuclein is a member of the synuclein family, which consists of 3 closely related proteins, alpha-, beta- and gamma-synucleins. Alpha-synuclein is more extensively studied because of its direct involvement in human diseases, while our knowledge about two other family members is very limited. Neither beta-synuclein, nor gamma-synuclein is a component of Lewy bodies and other pathological structures typical for neurodegenerative diseases.
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