alpha-synuclein
A protein that is primarily found in nerve cells (neurons); in their cell body, their nucleus and their terminals. The accumulation and aggregation of this protein is a pathologic finding in Parkinson’s. The first genetic mutation found in Parkinson’s was discovered in the gene for alpha-synuclein (SNCA), and is called PARK1. Alpha-synuclein appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s. Read more.