Discovery reveals protein involved in Parkinson’s disease also drives skin cancer

Different behaviors of same key protein in neurons, skin cells suggest new therapies should target the alpha-synuclein protein

By Erik Robinson April 09, 2025 Portland, Oregon

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Vivek Unni, M.D., Ph.D. (OHSU)

Moriah Arnold, Ph.D. (OHSU)

Vivek Unni, M.D., Ph.D. (OHSU)

Research connects small protein to two diseases

Vivek Unni, M.D., Ph.D., of Oregon Health & Science University, and colleagues have discovered that the alpha-synuclein protein known to clump together as “Lewy bodies” in Parkinson’s disease also has a role in melanoma. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)