Multiplication of the SNCA locus exacerbates neuronal nuclear aging.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC)-derived models have advanced the study of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). While age is the strongest risk factor for these disorders, hiPSC-derived models represent rejuvenated neurons. We developed hiPSC-derived Aged dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons to model PD and related synucleinopathies. Our new method induces aging through a `semi-natural' process, by passaging multiple times at the Neural Precursor Cell stage, prior to final differentiation. Characterization of isogenic hiPSC-derived neurons using heterochromatin and nuclear envelope markers, as well as DNA damage and global DNA methylation, validated our age-inducing method. Next, we compared neurons derived from a patient with SNCA-triplication (SNCA-Tri) and a Control. The SNCA-Tri neurons displayed exacerbated nuclear aging, showing advanced aging signatures already at the Juvenile stage. Noteworthy, the Aged SNCA-Tri neurons showed more α-synuclein aggregates per cell versus the Juvenile. We suggest a link between the effects of aging and SNCA overexpression on neuronal nuclear architecture.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Tagliafierro, L; Zamora, ME; Chiba-Falek, O

Published Date

  • February 1, 2019

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 28 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 407 - 421

PubMed ID

  • 30304516

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC6337700

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1460-2083

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1093/hmg/ddy355

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England