Gene chip microarray analysis demonstrated downregulated expression of the gamma-synuclein gene in DBA/2J mice as they developed age-associated glaucoma with concomitant with retinal ganglion cell loss.
Since myocilin and gamma-synuclein have partially overlapping intracellular localization in cell types that are implicated in glaucoma development, their interaction may play an important role in glaucoma.
In the optic nerve of rats with episcleral vein cauterization used as an animal model of glaucoma, the quantity of both gamma-synuclein mRNA and protein was decreased compared with the optic nerves of control animals.