Neuronal FAM171A2 mediates α-synuclein fibril uptake and drives Parkinson's disease

Science. 2025 Feb 21;387(6736):892-900. doi: 10.1126/science.adp3645. Epub 2025 Feb 20.

Abstract

Neuronal accumulation and spread of pathological α-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils are key events in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathophysiology. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the uptake of α-syn fibrils remain unclear. In this work, we identified FAM171A2 as a PD risk gene that affects α-syn aggregation. Overexpressing FAM171A2 promotes α-syn fibril endocytosis and exacerbates the spread and neurotoxicity of α-syn pathology. Neuronal-specific knockdown of FAM171A2 expression shows protective effects. Mechanistically, the FAM171A2 extracellular domain 1 interacts with the α-syn C terminus through electrostatic forces, with >1000 times more selective for fibrils. Furthermore, we identified bemcentinib as an effective blocker of FAM171A2-α-syn fibril interaction with an in vitro binding assay, in cellular models, and in mice. Our findings identified FAM171A2 as a potential receptor for the neuronal uptake of α-syn fibrils and, thus, as a therapeutic target against PD.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing* / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing* / metabolism
  • Amyloid* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Benzocycloheptenes / pharmacology
  • Endocytosis
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins* / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neurons* / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease* / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease* / metabolism
  • Protein Aggregation, Pathological / genetics
  • Protein Aggregation, Pathological / metabolism
  • Triazoles / pharmacology
  • alpha-Synuclein* / chemistry
  • alpha-Synuclein* / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Amyloid
  • FAM171A2 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • bemcentinib
  • Benzocycloheptenes
  • Triazoles