Prionoid Proteins in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Published in: Frontiers in molecular neuroscience Vol. 12; p. 271
• Main Authors: Wells, Cameron, Brennan, Samuel E., Keon, Matt, Saksena, Nitin K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Frontiers Research Foundation 12.11.2019; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Alzheimer’s disease; amyotrophic lateral scelerosis; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Disease; Glial cells; Movement disorders; neurodegenerative disease; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neuronal-glial interactions; Neuroscience; Parkinsion’s disease; Parkinson's disease; Pathogenesis; prion; Prion protein; prionoid; Proteins
• ISSN: 1662-5099; 1662-5099
• DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00271

There is a growing body of evidence that prion-like protein behaviours are a core element of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) that afflict humans. Common elements in pathogenesis, pathological effects and protein-level behaviours exist between Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. These extend beyond the affected neurons to glial cells and processes. This results in a complicated system of disease progression, which often takes advantage of protective processes to promote propagation of pathological protein aggregates. This review provides a current snapshot of knowledge on these proteins and their intrinsic role in the pathogenesis and disease progression seen across NDs.