Zunke Lab

EVs in PD: In search for a disease biomarker and their role in pathology

At AG Zunke we are interested in identifying molecular patterns that are characteristic of the neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our goal is to identify changes in protein and RNA level, which could distinguish samples of PD patients from healthy controls, thus serve as biomarkers of the disease. Further, this helps us to better understand the role of EVs in disease pathology and distribution. To analyze EVs, we utilize easily accessible biofluids such as blood and saliva. Subsequently, we characterize the size, number, morphology, and protein content of the vesicles using nanoparticle tracking analysis, western blot, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. To gain a deeper insight into PD-related molecular alterations, we analyse the RNA and protein content of the vesicles via RNAseq, PCR, proteomic analysis and enzyme activity assays. Considering the involvement of lysosomal dysfunction and aSyn aggregation in PD, we are particularly interested in changes in levels and activity of lysosomal proteases and in identifying pathological conformers of aSyn in EVs with an in vitro polymer formation assay, called seed amplification assay. We believe that identifying PD-related molecular alterations in EVs not only lead to the identification of disease biomarkers, but also help to gain a better understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms.

Principal Investigators:

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Friederike Zunke

Professor of Translational Neurosciences

Fanni Annamária Boros

Postdoctoral Researcher