No pathogenic mutations in the β-synuclein gene in Parkinson's disease

We present 11 families consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance of probable Parkinson's disease (PD). Although excluded as a cause of disease in these kindreds, mutations in the α-synuclein gene have been implicated in familial PD. The β-synuclein gene is highly homologous, expressed in the nervous system and thus is a good candidate gene for PD. Multipoint linkage analysis was either equivocal or excluded 5q35 haplotype sharing among affected family members. Sequencing the translated exons of the β-synuclein gene failed to identify any pathogenic mutation.