α-Synuclein (αS) phosphorylation at serine-129 (pS129) is a widely used surrogate marker of pathology in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other Lewy body diseases. However, we recently demonstrated that phosphorylation of αS S129 is also a physiological activator of synaptic transmission. In a feed-forward fashion, activity-dependent pS129 positively regulates neurotransmission. These results raise the critical question of whether pS129 in physiological (normal) and pathological (abnormal) states can be distinguished. I’ll discuss the differences in the biological properties of pS129 in these states. Distinguishing normal and abnormal pS129 will help us better understand the processes leading to the pathology and refine pS129 as a marker for PD and LB.

This is a joint seminar with Medical Innovation Research Center.

▼Seminar leaflet