alpha-synuclein and LRRK2: partners in crime

Neuron. 2009 Dec 24;64(6):771-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.12.017.

Abstract

In this issue of Neuron, Lin et al. report that LRRK2 modulates age-related neurodegeneration caused by overexpression of alpha-synuclein in the forebrain of transgenic mice. Overexpression of LRRK2 accelerates the progression of alpha-synuclein-mediated neuropathological changes, whereas deletion of LRRK2 alleviates these alterations. The results reveal an interesting interaction between alpha-synuclein and LRRK2, two gene products linked to dominantly inherited Parkinson's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / genetics
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Golgi Apparatus / genetics
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / genetics
  • Microtubules / genetics
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / pathology
  • Nerve Degeneration / genetics
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics*

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • LRRK2 protein, human
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases