Lysine Acetyltransferase 8-Mediated Histone Acetylation Regulated by GBA1 is Associated with Lysosomal Function Related to α-Synuclein Pathology

Abstract Lysosomal defects are closely linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mutations in the GBA1 gene, encoding the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are major genetic risk factors for PD. GBA1 deficiency causes lysosomal dysfunction, leading to α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation and PD progression. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a novel GBA1-KAT8 regulatory pathway that controls lysosomal activity. GBA1 overexpression enhances lysosomal enzyme expression, regulates histone H4 acetylation at K16 via KAT8, and promotes lysosome-associated gene expression, highlighting an epigenetic mechanism in lysosomal biogenesis. Furthermore, GBA1 upregulated KAT8 expression, increased lysosomal enzyme levels, and decreased PFF-induced α-syn accumulation both in vitro and in vivo. The involvement of KAT8 as a critical acetyltransferase that modulates nuclear–lysosomal signaling pathways provides a mechanistic explanation for GBA1 deficiency-induced lysosomal dysfunction in association with PD pathology.