The interaction between alpha-synuclein and mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an aging-associated neurodegenerative disorder with the hallmark of abnormal aggregates of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs). Currently, pathogenic α-syn and mitochondrial dysfunction have been considered as prominent roles that give impetus to the PD onset. This review describes the α-syn pathology and mitochondrial alterations in PD, and focuses on how α-syn interacts with multiple aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis in the pathogenesis of PD. [Display omitted] •The relationship between α-syn pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction is reciprocal in PD.•α-syn affects mitochondrial biogenesis, bioenergetics, dynamics, transport and quality control.•Mitochondrial dysfunction in turn leads to the α-syn pathology.•More researches are needed to investigate the interaction between α-syn pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction.