Analysis Of Alpha-Synuclein In Exosomes

Alpha synuclein (alpha-Syn), a presynaptic protein with unknown function, is accumulated in Lewy bodies/neurites that are one of the hallmark pathologies of Parkinson's disease (PD). Missense or multiplication mutations in SNCA, which codes alpha-Syn, result in a genetic form of PD, further indicating the involvement of alpha-Syn in PD pathogenesis. Recent pathological and experimental studies suggest that alpha-Syn possesses a secretory feature, as it is detected in the culture media, in the cerebrospinal fluid, and even in the blood. Secreted alpha-Syn can spread throughout the body and invade the CNS, disseminating the alpha-Syn associated pathology. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that carry many proteins, lipids, or miRNA. We and others have discovered alpha-Syn in exosomes and revealed that exosomes may regulate intracellular alpha-Syn levels by transporting outside the cells. In this chapter, we describe a protocol to measure alpha-Syn levels in exosomes.