Question

Post-translational modification of proteins in the brain results in the development of neurodegenerative disease (ND). Which of the following proteins is NOT typically implicated in ND?

a) Actin

b) α-synuclein

c) SOD1

d) β-amyloid

e) HSP

Answer 1

Post-translational modification of proteins in the brain results in the development of neurodegenerative disease (ND). Which of the following proteins is NOT typically implicated in ND?

a) Actin

b) α-synuclein

c) SOD1

d) β-amyloid

e) HSP

Answer: A - Actin.

Actin is a contractile protein that occurs in muscle tissue. It is found in the microfilaments of cellular cytoskeleton and in thin filaments of muscle tissue. It's role has not been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, this is the right answer for this question. The other proteins are implicated in several diseases. They have been listed below:

α-synuclein - These deposits are found in the Lewy bodies which are typically seen in Parkinsons Disease.

SOD1 - SOD1 protein is implicated in Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,

d) β-amyloid - βA42 plaques are deposited in the cerebral cortex in Alzheimer's disease.

e) HSP - Heat shock proteins have been implicated in the progression neurodegenerative disorders that have been mentioned above. They are a part of the ubiquitin proteasome and the autophagic-lysosomal pathways which are implicated in the neuronal degeneration.