α-Synuclein is a presynaptic neuronal protein which may contribute genetically and neuropathologically to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Aggregated a-synuclein is the major component of inclusions in Parkinson’s disease; but also in other synucleinopathy brains indicating that α-synuclein aggregation may play a main role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In this α-synuclein aggregation assay from Innoprot, we use a SH-SY5Y cell line stably expressing a red fluorescent α-synuclein.
The basis of the α-synuclein aggregation assay is the induction to form α-synuclein aggregates by apoptosis. Before the aggregation process, we co-inlcubate the cells with the test compounds during 24 hours to evaluate their effect preventing α-synuclein aggregation. Then, we treat the cells with staurosporine to induce apoptosis. After a 60-90 minutes treatment, we fix the cells to perform the image analysis by quantification of α-synuclein aggregates.
Cell Line used in this assay: SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line stably expressing red fluorescent α-synuclein