The roles of prosaposin in neurological disorders: current understandings and prospects

Abstract

Prosaposin is a multifunctional protein known for its regulatory role in lysosomal physiological functions and its involvement as a secreted protein in various physiological processes. It has been identified as a factor in several major neurological disorders, including Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), schizophrenia, and nerve injury. A comprehensive understanding of prosaposin's involvement in the pathological processes of these diseases and exploring their commonalities among different diseases could shed light on new strategies for understanding the mechanisms and treating various neurological disorders. This review summarizes the role of prosaposin in the pathogenesis of multiple neurological diseases and discusses its commonalities across these diseases, offering an outlook on future research directions regarding the diagnosis and treatment.