Latest

Publications

2026

TNF alpha unmasks enteric malate aspartate shuttle dysfunction bridging Parkinson disease and intestinal inflammation

Bruno Ghirotto, Luís Eduardo Gonçalves, Vivien Ruder, Christina James, et al.

Nature Communications, 2026

Article
2025

Recombinant cathepsins B and L promote α-synuclein clearance and restore lysosomal function in human and murine models with α-synuclein pathology

Balta D., Varghese A., Prieto Huarcaya S., et al., Zunke F.

Molecular Neurodegeneration, 2025

PubMed
Research Focus

Lysosomal pathways in neurodegeneration and much more...

Our research investigates how lysosomal dysfunction contributes to α-synuclein accumulation and neuronal vulnerability in Parkinson’s disease. By combining human disease models with molecular and cellular approaches, we aim to identify mechanisms that restore protein clearance and cellular homeostasis.

Fluorescence microscopy image of neuronal cells
Selected

Other Publications

2023

Reciprocal effects of alpha-synuclein aggregation and lysosomal homeostasis in synucleinopathy models

Drobny A., Boros F. A., Balta D., Prieto Huarcaya S., et al., Zunke F.

Translational Neurodegeneration, 2023

PubMed
2022

The role of lysosomal cathepsins in neurodegeneration: Mechanistic insights, diagnostic potential and therapeutic approaches

Drobny A., Prieto Huarcaya S., Dobert J., Kluge A., et al., Zunke F.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Molecular Cell Research, 2022

PubMed
2022

Detection of neuron-derived pathological α-synuclein in blood

Kluge A., Bunk J., Schaeffer E., Drobny A., et al., Zunke F.

Brain, 2022

PubMed
2021

Editorial: Intracellular Mechanisms of α-Synuclein Processing

Zunke F., Winner B., Richter F., Caraveo G.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2021

PubMed
2019

Modeling neuronopathic storage diseases with patient-derived culture systems

Zunke F., Mazzulli J. R.

Neurobiology of Disease, 2019

PubMed
2018

Reversible Conformational Conversion of α-Synuclein into Toxic Assemblies by Glucosylceramide

Zunke F., Moise A. C., Belur N. R., et al.

Neuron, 2018

PubMed
2017

The shedding protease ADAM17: Physiology and pathophysiology

Zunke F., Rose-John S.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2017

PubMed