EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by α-synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic neurons, is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Recent findings highlight DNAJB1 as a crucial factor in the disaggregation of α-synuclein fibrils in vitro, yet the underlying mechanisms and regulatory proce...

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Main Authors: Yun-Yu Huang, Sue-Jane Lin, Wei-Yu Chiang, Yuan-Teng Chang, Chan-Chih Yang, Chia-Yu Liao, Ya-Lan Chang, Chin-Hsien Lin, Shu-Chun Teng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Parkinson's Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-01006-y
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author Yun-Yu Huang
Sue-Jane Lin
Wei-Yu Chiang
Yuan-Teng Chang
Chan-Chih Yang
Chia-Yu Liao
Ya-Lan Chang
Chin-Hsien Lin
Shu-Chun Teng
author_facet Yun-Yu Huang
Sue-Jane Lin
Wei-Yu Chiang
Yuan-Teng Chang
Chan-Chih Yang
Chia-Yu Liao
Ya-Lan Chang
Chin-Hsien Lin
Shu-Chun Teng
author_sort Yun-Yu Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by α-synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic neurons, is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Recent findings highlight DNAJB1 as a crucial factor in the disaggregation of α-synuclein fibrils in vitro, yet the underlying mechanisms and regulatory processes in neuronal cells remain largely undefined. This study reveals that DNAJB1 facilitates the clearance of α-synuclein via the Hsp70 chaperone system. Phosphorylation of DNAJB1 at tyrosine 5 by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for mitigating α-synuclein aggregation, enhancing its interaction with Hsp70. Dysregulation of this pathway disrupts α-synuclein delivery to Hsp70, worsening aggregation in neuronal cells. Analysis of human brain lysates from individuals with PD and unaffected controls showed reduced levels of EGFR and DNAJB1, with an increase in phosphorylated DNAJB1 at Y5. These findings elucidate mechanisms in PD pathology and suggest DNAJB1 as a promising candidate for targeted therapeutic strategies.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2373-8057
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
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series npj Parkinson's Disease
spelling doaj-art-f54dbd2a82d540d8b74eb5bde21be24d2025-08-20T03:26:42ZengNature Portfolionpj Parkinson's Disease2373-80572025-06-0111111610.1038/s41531-025-01006-yEGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s diseaseYun-Yu Huang0Sue-Jane Lin1Wei-Yu Chiang2Yuan-Teng Chang3Chan-Chih Yang4Chia-Yu Liao5Ya-Lan Chang6Chin-Hsien Lin7Shu-Chun Teng8Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital TaipeiDepartment of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan UniversityAbstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by α-synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic neurons, is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Recent findings highlight DNAJB1 as a crucial factor in the disaggregation of α-synuclein fibrils in vitro, yet the underlying mechanisms and regulatory processes in neuronal cells remain largely undefined. This study reveals that DNAJB1 facilitates the clearance of α-synuclein via the Hsp70 chaperone system. Phosphorylation of DNAJB1 at tyrosine 5 by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for mitigating α-synuclein aggregation, enhancing its interaction with Hsp70. Dysregulation of this pathway disrupts α-synuclein delivery to Hsp70, worsening aggregation in neuronal cells. Analysis of human brain lysates from individuals with PD and unaffected controls showed reduced levels of EGFR and DNAJB1, with an increase in phosphorylated DNAJB1 at Y5. These findings elucidate mechanisms in PD pathology and suggest DNAJB1 as a promising candidate for targeted therapeutic strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-01006-y
spellingShingle Yun-Yu Huang
Sue-Jane Lin
Wei-Yu Chiang
Yuan-Teng Chang
Chan-Chih Yang
Chia-Yu Liao
Ya-Lan Chang
Chin-Hsien Lin
Shu-Chun Teng
EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
npj Parkinson's Disease
title EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
title_full EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
title_fullStr EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
title_full_unstemmed EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
title_short EGFR phosphorylates DNAJB1 to suppress α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease
title_sort egfr phosphorylates dnajb1 to suppress α synuclein aggregation in parkinson s disease
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-01006-y
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