Alpha-synuclein tends to misfold and aggregate in patients with progressive Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Tiago Outeiro, PhD, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany, describes the presence of high levels of alpha-synuclein in the synaptic compartment and how it affects synaptic function by influencing the release of neurotransmitters. Prof. Outeiro discusses the use of super-resolution microscopy techniques to image the synaptic compartment and specifically the interactions of alpha-synuclein with other proteins. By utilizing proteomics, a recent study has demonstrated some of the dangerous interactions of alpha-synuclein with mitochondrial proteins; proteins were being retained in the cytosol rather than being directed into the mitochondria, thus leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. This interview took place at the Harvard European Alumni Training Network (HEAT-Net), 2021.

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