Secondary nucleation of α-Synuclein drives Mitochondria dysfunctions and Lewy body formation in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract The seeding of α-Synuclein (αSyn) is a key driver of Lewy pathology propagation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and forms the basis for recent diagnostic success. However, it remains unclear how the structural and biochemical features of αSyn seeds dictate their propagation efficiency, capacity to induce Lewy body formation, and resulting cellular toxicity. Using genetic and idiopathic PD cell models, we map the pathogenic cascade beginning with the seed-driven conversion of endogenous αSyn, followed by impaired degradation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ultimately Lewy body formation. By integrating functional readouts kinetic modelling, we identify secondary nucleation as the predominant mechanism generating toxic αSyn aggregation intermediates, identifying the critical process that links seeding to pathology. Extending this framework to PD brain, we quantitatively correlate seeding capacity with the spatiotemporal spread and severity of Lewy pathology, revealing a mechanistic connection between αSyn aggregation dynamics and disease progression at molecular, cellular, and anatomical levels.