Iron promotes the clearance of α-synuclein An Editorial for 'H63D variant of the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) gene alters α-synuclein expression, aggregation, and toxicity on https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15107

Both elevated iron and alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) aggregates are neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been previously shown that iron promotes alpha-synuclein aggregation, and alpha-synuclein dysfunction impairs iron metabolism. In their latest work, Kimet al. have shown that the H63D variant of the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) facilitates alpha-syn degradation via REDD1-mediated autophagy. Mice with the H63D variant of HFE were protected against alpha-syn toxicity. These results may shed light on recent clinical studies of PD using iron chelation therapy.