Modulating α-synuclein propagation and decomposition: implications in Parkinson's disease therapy

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Under pathological conditions, the conformation of α-syn changes and different forms of α-syn lead to neurotoxicity. According to Braak stages, α-syn can propagate in different brain regions, inducing neurodegeneration and corresponding clinical manifestations through abnormal aggregation of Lewy bodies (LBs) and lewy axons in different types of neurons in PD. So far, PD lacks early diagnosis biomarkers, and treatments are mainly targeted at some clinical symptoms. There is no effective therapy to delay the progression of PD. This review first summarized the role of α-syn in physiological and pathological states, and the relationship between α-syn and PD. Then, we focused on the origin, secretion, aggregation, propagation and degradation of α-syn as well as the important regulatory factors in these processes systematically. Finally, we reviewed some potential drug candidates for alleviating the abnormal aggregation of α-syn in order to provide valuable targets for the treatment of PD to cope with the occurrence and progression of this disease.