Alpha-synuclein in mitochondrial dysfunction: opportunities or obstacles

Recent work suggests a link between α-synuclein(α-syn) and mitochondrial dysfunction; however, the mechanisms of how α-syn influences mitochondrial function are still unclear. Most notably, whether α-syn plays a direct role during mitochondrial function and/or whether diseased α-syn-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction is a potential modifiable risk factor in Parkinson’s disease(PD) is unknown.