In addition, given the data showing that alpha-synuclein can directly bind DNA17–20; PD is linked to DNA damaging insults like oxidative stress30; and oxidative stress increases nuclear alpha-synuclein levels31, we set out to test whether alpha-synuclein plays a role in regulating normal cellular responses to DNA damage and whether this function could be compromised in Lewy inclusion-bearing cells. This evidence concerns the gene SNCA and Parkinson disease.