α-synuclein—a critical protein in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, primarily affecting the brain's control over movement, thought, memory, and emotion. Early symptoms often manifest as tremors due to impaired motor skills. Underlying these visible symptoms is a cascade of molecular changes, beginning with alterations in specific proteins—one of which, α-synuclein, plays a critical role in PD pathology. In Figure 1, we have illustrated how α-Synuclein aggregates, which impairs the motor neuron.

Figure 1. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease is affected by A) α-Synuclein aggregates affecting the motor neurons, B) Neuron loss and degeneration, and C) Blod-Brain-Barrier (BBB) leackage and neuroinflammation, by activated microglia, reactive astrocytes and extracellular matrix destruction.

In a healthy brain, α-synuclein supports neuronal communication. However, in Parkinson’s, this protein undergoes abnormal processing, driven partly by the enzyme Calpain-1, which cleaves α-synuclein into smaller, altered fragments. This early cleavage disrupts cellular function and promotes the formation of toxic aggregates, which accumulate, kill neurons, and drive disease progression. Intriguingly, these fragmented proteins can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the bloodstream, providing a potential “window into the brain” for tracking disease activity from a simple blood sample.

At Nordic Bioscience, we have developed an innovative approach to harness this biomarker potential. Using our ProteinFingerPrint Biomarker Technology™, we can detect Calpain-1-cleaved α-synuclein fragments in blood serum with high precision. Our specific assay, α-SYN-C, captures the unique "fragment fingerprint" of PD by quantifying these cleaved fragments, which are significantly elevated in the blood of PD patients compared to healthy individuals, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Patients with Parkinson’s Disease has significant higher levels of α-SYN-C in serum, compared to healthy donors. The α-SYN-C biomarker, detects levels of α-Synuclein cleaved by Calpain-1 in serum. The assay is technically validated for measurements in human blood samples.

This biomarker offers a non-invasive, accessible tool for monitoring Parkinson's Disease progression and evaluating therapeutic responses. By examining α-SYN-C levels in blood samples, our technology not only provides insights into PD mechanisms but also opens doors for developing targeted therapies that address the disease’s underlying pathology. Through this work, we aim to support more accurate PD diagnostics and more effective, individualized treatments in the fight against neurodegeneration.

Reach out if you are interested to learn more about how α-SYN-C can contribute to your program!