Alpha synuclein determines ferroptosis sensitivity in dopaminergic neurons via modulation of ether-phospholipid membrane composition

Summary

There is a continued unmet need for treatments that can slow Parkinson's disease progression due to the lack of understanding behind the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Since its discovery, ferroptosis has been implicated in several diseases and represents a therapeutic target in Parkinson's disease. Here, we use two highly relevant human dopaminergic neuronal models to show that endogenous levels of α-synuclein can determine the sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons to ferroptosis. We show that reducing α-synuclein expression in dopaminergic neurons leads to ferroptosis evasion, while elevated α-synuclein expression in patients' small-molecule-derived neuronal precursor cells with SNCA triplication causes an increased vulnerability to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. Lipid profiling reveals that ferroptosis resistance is due to a reduction in ether-linked phospholipids, required for ferroptosis, in neurons depleted of α-synuclein (α-syn). These results provide a molecular mechanism linking α-syn levels to the sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons to ferroptosis, suggesting potential therapeutic relevance. Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Authors Mahoney-Sanchez L, Bouchaoui H, Boussaad I, Jonneaux A, Timmerman K, Berdeaux O, Ayton S, Krüger R, Duce JA, Devos D, Devedjian JC
Journal Cell reports
Publication Date 2022 Aug 23;40(8):111231
PubMed 36001957
DOI 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111231

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