Involvement of Cellular Prion Protein in α-Synuclein Transport in Neurons

The cellular prion protein, encoded by the gene Prnp , has been reported to be a receptor of β-amyloid. Their interaction is mandatory for neurotoxic effects of β-amyloid oligomers. In this study, we aimed to explore whether the cellular prion protein participates in the spreading of α-synuclein. Results demonstrate that Prnp expression is not mandatory for α-synuclein spreading. However, although the pathological spreading of α-synuclein can take place in the absence of Prnp , α-synuclein expanded faster in PrP C -overexpressing mice. In addition, α-synuclein binds strongly on PrP C -expressing cells, suggesting a role in modulating the effect of α-synuclein fibrils.