α-synuclein is a protein of unknown function that aggregates in diseases such as Parkinson`s disease. The amyloidogenic nature of this protein has been implicated in disease and determine and regulating this process is important. Recent studies have suggested that copper or iron might bind to α-synuclein. Given the homology between the known synuclein proteins this opens up the possibility that they are a family of metal binding proteins. In this review we examine the evidence that synucleins bind metal and discuss the known implications of this.