Abstract: Objective To investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by GBA and the regulation of GBA on the expression of α-synuclein in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods The recombinated plamid EGFP-N1, EGFP-GBA were transfected into SH-SY5Y cells through eukaryotic cell transfection technique. The expression of beclin1, LC3-II/LC3-I and α-synuclein in the level of protein was detected through Western blot，MDC staining and cellular immunofluorescence microscopy were performed to observe the change of autophagic vacuolization and their subcellular colocalization. Results Compared to EGFP-N1 group, the expression of Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I in group of overexpression EGFP-GBA were significantly increased, and the average number of autophagic vacuoles per cell increased, however, the expression of α-synuclein was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Besides, the signals for LC3, GBA and the extent of their co-localization increased in GBA groups. Conclusion GBA protein decreases the expression level of α-synuclein and induces autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells.

Key words: GBA, α-synuclein, autophagy