Alpha-synuclein expression localizes to the Golgi apparatus in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.

Alpha-synuclein (alphaS) is a protein of unknown function linked to Parkinson's disease. We examined alphaS expression in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Immunocytochemistry showed expression of alphaS in the Golgi apparatus and vesicles, consistent with its putative role in vesicular function within synapses, and with O-linked glycosylation of alphaS in autosomal-recessive Parkinson's disease. The chromaffin cell culture system offers advantages in studying the role of alphaS in vesicular trafficking and secretion.