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Figure 2 | Molecular Neurodegeneration

Figure 2

From: Expression of human A53T alpha-synuclein in the rat substantia nigra using a novel AAV1/2 vector produces a rapidly evolving pathology with protein aggregation, dystrophic neurite architecture and nigrostriatal degeneration with potential to model the pathology of Parkinson's disease

Figure 2

Alpha-synuclein deposits in nigral neurons are insoluble aggregates. Midbrain sections from rats injected with AAV1/2 A53T α-syn were treated with proteinase K (B, PK+) or the buffer used to dissolve PK (A, PK-) and subsequently immunostained for human α-syn to determine its solubility. Panel A (PK-) shows that α-syn expression fills the substantia nigra expressing in both nigral neurons and neurites. In panel B, following PK digestion, many neurons maintain expression of α-syn aggregates (insoluble α-syn), while the neurites appear to have been largely cleared (soluble α-syn). Arrows point to examples of α-syn filled neurons. Scale bar in panel A is 200 μm.

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