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ACLY Inhibition Rescues Alpha-Synuclein Autophagy

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mechanism2109 wordssynced 2026-04-02

ACLY Inhibition Rescues Alpha-Synuclein-Impaired Autophagy

Overview

This mechanism describes how ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) inhibition rescues autophagy defects caused by pathogenic alpha-synuclein mutations in Parkinson's disease. Research has demonstrated that alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) mutations trigger a cascade involving ACLY activation, p300 mislocalization, and subsequent autophagy impairment—which can be rescued by pharmacological ACLY inhibition[@chung2025].

This pathway represents a novel therapeutic target linking metabolic dysregulation with protein homeostasis defects in synucleinopathies.

Molecular Mechanism

Step 1: Mutant Alpha-Synuclein Activates ACLY

Pathogenic mutations in the [SNCA](/genes/snca) gene (such as A53T, E46K, or H50Q) lead to increased activity of ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), the enzyme that converts citrate to acetyl-CoA in the cytoplasm. This activation represents an early molecular event in alpha-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity[@chung2025].

ACLY Function:

  • Cytosolic enzyme that cleaves citrate to generate acetyl-CoA[@wellen2009]
  • Links cellular metabolism to epigenetic regulation[@pietrocola2015]
  • Provides acetyl-CoA for lipid synthesis and protein acetylation[@shih2021]
  • Hyperactive in multiple neurodegenerative disease models[@baird2024]
α-Syn Mutation Effects:
  • A53T (A53T) - Enhanced aggregation propensity, faster fibril formation[@conway2000]
  • E46K (E46K) - Increased membrane binding, Lewy body formation[@perrin2003]
  • H50Q (H50Q) - Reduced fibril stability, altered aggregation[@ghosh2013]

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