Alpha-synuclein overexpression increases phospho-protein phosphatase 2A levels via formation of calmodulin/Src complex

Alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) is the principal protein component of Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). This protein may regulate protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity, although the molecular mechanisms for alpha-Syn-mediated regulation of PP2A and the potential neuroprotective actions of PP2A against PD-associated pathology remain largely unexplored. We found that alpha-Syn gene overexpression in SK-N-SH cells and primary neurons led to PP2A/C phosphorylation at Y307, a known target of Src kinase, and consequent phosphatase inhibition. In addition, phospho-activated Src (p-Y416 Src, pSrc) was higher in SK-N-SH cells and primary neurons overexpressing alpha-Syn. Thus, alpha-Syn may promote Src activation and PP2A inactivation, leading to hyperphosphorylation of proteins. Immunoprecipitation revealed higher calmodulin/Src complex formation in alpha-Syn-overexpressing cells and alpha-Syn transgenic mice. A TUNEL apoptosis assay and an MTT cell viability assay demonstrated that the PP2A activator C-2-ceramide protected neurons against alpha-Syn-induced cell injury. Buffering the Ca2+ elevations induced by alpha-Syn overexpression ameliorated the cytotoxicity of alpha-Syn. Our findings define a potential molecular mechanism for alpha-Syn-mediated regulation of PP2A through formation of the calmodulin/Src complex, activation of Src, and Src-mediated phospho-inhibition of PP2A. Overexpression of alpha-Syn may lead to neurodegeneration in PD in part by suppressing the endogenous neuroprotective activity of PP2A. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.