Lewy body

Definition

Target type: cellularcomponent

Cytoplasmic, spherical inclusion commonly found in damaged neurons, and composed of abnormally phosphorylated, neurofilament proteins aggregated with ubiquitin and alpha-synuclein. [NIF_Subcellular:sao4933778419]

Lewy bodies are abnormal aggregates of proteins found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and some other neurodegenerative disorders. The core of a Lewy body is composed primarily of alpha-synuclein, a protein that is normally found in the brain and other tissues. Alpha-synuclein is a small, intrinsically disordered protein that can adopt a variety of conformations. In Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein misfolds and aggregates into insoluble fibrils. These fibrils then accumulate in neurons, forming Lewy bodies. The cellular component of a Lewy body is the neuron, specifically the cytoplasm and the neurites. Lewy bodies are found primarily in the cytoplasm of neurons, but they can also be found in neurites, which are the long, thin projections that extend from neurons and allow them to communicate with other cells. In addition to alpha-synuclein, Lewy bodies also contain other proteins, including ubiquitin, tau, and the chaperone protein Hsp70. Ubiquitin is a small protein that is involved in protein degradation. Tau is a protein that helps to stabilize microtubules, which are the protein filaments that make up the cytoskeleton of cells. Hsp70 is a chaperone protein that helps to prevent proteins from misfolding. Lewy bodies can also contain other cellular components, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum. These cellular components may be damaged or dysfunctional in Lewy bodies. The presence of Lewy bodies in the brain is thought to be a major contributor to the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The exact mechanism by which Lewy bodies cause these symptoms is not fully understood, but it is thought that the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and other proteins in neurons disrupts normal neuronal function. The formation of Lewy bodies is a complex process that is not fully understood. It is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the development of Lewy bodies. The presence of Lewy bodies in the brain is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. They are found in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and some other neurodegenerative disorders. The cellular component of a Lewy body is the neuron. Specifically, it is located in the cytoplasm and the neurites of the neuron.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (4)