The function of α-synuclein (α-syn) has been long debated, and two seemingly divergent views have emerged. In one, α-syn binds to VAMP2, acting as a SNARE chaperone-but with no effect on neurotransmission-while another posits that α-syn attenuates neurotransmitter release by restricting synaptic vesicle mobilization and recycling. Here, we show that α-syn-VAMP2 interactions are necessary for α-syn-induced synaptic attenuation. Our data connect divergent views and suggest a unified model of α-syn function.
Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; alpha synuclein; synaptic transmission.
Copyright © 2019 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.