The possible cis-acting signal of the mRNA for this protein is very similar to the tau signal, with only a single U to C substitution, suggesting that the synuclein messenger may be transported to the axon by a similar mechanism to the tau messenger and that aggregation and precipitation of the synuclein protein within the axon contributes to neurodegenerative disease. The gene discussed is MAPT; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.