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Domenicale C, Magnabosco S, Morari M. Modeling Parkinson's disease in LRRK2 rodents. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220040. [PMID: 37601008 PMCID: PMC10432857 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Sporadic PD and LRRK2 PD share main clinical and neuropathological features, namely hypokinesia, degeneration of nigro-striatal dopamine neurons and α-synuclein aggregates in the form of Lewy bodies. Animals harboring the most common LRRK2 mutations, i.e. p.G2019S and p.R1441C/G, have been generated to replicate the parkinsonian phenotype and investigate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Disappointingly, however, LRRK2 rodents did not consistently phenocopy hypokinesia and nigro-striatal degeneration, or showed Lewy body-like aggregates. Instead, LRRK2 rodents manifested non-motor signs and dysregulated transmission at dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic synapses that are reminiscent of behavioral and functional network changes observed in the prodromal phase of the disease. LRRK2 rodents also manifested greater susceptibility to different parkinsonian toxins or stressors when subjected to dual-hit or multiple-hit protocols, confirming LRRK2 mutations as genetic risk factors. In conclusion, LRRK2 rodents represent a unique tool to identify the molecular mechanisms through which LRRK2 modulates the course and clinical presentations of PD and to study the interplay between genetic, intrinsic and environmental protective/risk factors in PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Domenicale
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefano Magnabosco
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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2
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Simons E, Fleming SM. Role of rodent models in advancing precision medicine for Parkinson's disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 193:3-16. [PMID: 36803818 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-85555-6.00002-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
With a current lack of disease-modifying treatments, an initiative toward implementing a precision medicine approach for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) has emerged. However, challenges remain in how to define and apply precision medicine in PD. To accomplish the goal of optimally targeted and timed treatment for each patient, preclinical research in a diverse population of rodent models will continue to be an essential part of the translational path to identify novel biomarkers for patient diagnosis and subgrouping, understand PD disease mechanisms, identify new therapeutic targets, and screen therapeutics prior to clinical testing. This review highlights the most common rodent models of PD and discusses how these models can contribute to defining and implementing precision medicine for the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Simons
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
| | - Sheila M Fleming
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States.
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3
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Dopamine Transporter, PhosphoSerine129 α-Synuclein and α-Synuclein Levels in Aged LRRK2 G2019S Knock-In and Knock-Out Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040881. [PMID: 35453631 PMCID: PMC9027615 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The G2019S mutation in leucine rich-repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a major cause of familial Parkinson’s disease. We previously reported that G2019S knock-in mice manifest dopamine transporter dysfunction and phosphoSerine129 α-synuclein (pSer129 α-syn) immunoreactivity elevation at 12 months of age, which might represent pathological events leading to neuronal degeneration. Here, the time-dependence of these changes was monitored in the striatum of 6, 9, 12, 18 and 23-month-old G2019S KI mice and wild-type controls using DA uptake assay, Western analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western analysis showed elevation of membrane dopamine transporter (DAT) levels at 9 and 12 months of age, along with a reduction of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) levels at 12 months. DAT uptake was abnormally elevated from 9 to up to 18 months. DAT and VMAT2 level changes were specific to the G2019S mutation since they were not observed in LRRK2 kinase-dead or knock-out mice. Nonetheless, dysfunctional DAT uptake was not normalized by acute pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity with MLi-2. Immunoblot analysis showed elevation of pSer129 α-syn levels in the striatum of 12-month-old G2019S KI mice, which, however, was not confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. Instead, total α-syn immunoreactivity was found elevated in the striatum of 23-month-old LRRK2 knock-out mice. These data indicate mild changes in DA transporters and α-syn metabolism in the striatum of 12-month-old G2019S KI mice whose pathological relevance remains to be established.
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4
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Dynamic control of the dopamine transporter in neurotransmission and homeostasis. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:22. [PMID: 33674612 PMCID: PMC7935902 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00161-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine transporter (DAT) transports extracellular dopamine into the intracellular space contributing to the regulation of dopamine neurotransmission. A reduction of DAT density is implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) by neuroimaging; dopamine turnover is dopamine turnover is elevated in early symptomatic PD and in presymptomatic individuals with monogenic mutations causal for parkinsonism. As an integral plasma membrane protein, DAT surface expression is dynamically regulated through endocytic trafficking, enabling flexible control of dopamine signaling in time and space, which in turn critically modulates movement, motivation and learning behavior. Yet the cellular machinery and functional implications of DAT trafficking remain enigmatic. In this review we summarize mechanisms governing DAT trafficking under normal physiological conditions and discuss how PD-linked mutations may disturb DAT homeostasis. We highlight the complexity of DAT trafficking and reveal DAT dysregulation as a common theme in genetic models of parkinsonism.
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5
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Bono F, Mutti V, Devoto P, Bolognin S, Schwamborn JC, Missale C, Fiorentini C. Impaired dopamine D3 and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor membrane localization in iPSCs-derived dopaminergic neurons from two Parkinson's disease patients carrying the LRRK2 G2019S mutation. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 99:65-78. [PMID: 33422895 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic determinants of Parkinson's disease (PD), with the G2019S accounting for about 3% of PD cases. LRRK2 regulates various cellular processes, including vesicle trafficking that is crucial for receptor localization at the plasma membrane. In this study, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from 2 PD patients bearing the G2019S LRRK2 kinase activating mutation were used to generate neuronal cultures enriched in dopaminergic neurons. The results show that mutant LRRK2 prevents the membrane localization of both the dopamine D3 receptors (D3R) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and the formation of the D3R-nAChR heteromer, a molecular unit crucial for promoting neuronal homeostasis and preserving dopaminergic neuron health. Interestingly, D3R and nAChR as well as the corresponding heteromer membrane localization were rescued by inhibiting the abnormally increased kinase activity. Thus, the altered membrane localization of the D3R-nAChR heteromer associated with mutation in LRRK2 might represent a pre-degenerative feature of dopaminergic neurons contributing to the special vulnerability of this neuronal population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Bono
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Veronica Mutti
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paola Devoto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvia Bolognin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jens C Schwamborn
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Cristina Missale
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; "C. Golgi" Women Health Center, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorentini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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6
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Kuhlmann N, Milnerwood AJ. A Critical LRRK at the Synapse? The Neurobiological Function and Pathophysiological Dysfunction of LRRK2. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:153. [PMID: 32973447 PMCID: PMC7482583 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of LRRK2 mutations causal to Parkinson's disease (PD) in the early 2000s, the LRRK2 protein has been implicated in a plethora of cellular processes in which pathogenesis could occur, yet its physiological function remains elusive. The development of genetic models of LRRK2 PD has helped identify the etiological and pathophysiological underpinnings of the disease, and may identify early points of intervention. An important role for LRRK2 in synaptic function has emerged in recent years, which links LRRK2 to other genetic forms of PD, most notably those caused by mutations in the synaptic protein α-synuclein. This point of convergence may provide useful clues as to what drives dysfunction in the basal ganglia circuitry and eventual death of substantia nigra (SN) neurons. Here, we discuss the evolution and current state of the literature placing LRRK2 at the synapse, through the lens of knock-out, overexpression, and knock-in animal models. We hope that a deeper understanding of LRRK2 neurobiology, at the synapse and beyond, will aid the eventual development of neuroprotective interventions for PD, and the advancement of useful treatments in the interim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Kuhlmann
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Austen J Milnerwood
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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7
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Mancini A, Mazzocchetti P, Sciaccaluga M, Megaro A, Bellingacci L, Beccano-Kelly DA, Di Filippo M, Tozzi A, Calabresi P. From Synaptic Dysfunction to Neuroprotective Strategies in Genetic Parkinson's Disease: Lessons From LRRK2. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:158. [PMID: 32848606 PMCID: PMC7399363 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is thought to rely on a complex interaction between the patient’s genetic background and a variety of largely unknown environmental factors. In this scenario, the investigation of the genetic bases underlying familial PD could unveil key molecular pathways to be targeted by new disease-modifying therapies, still currently unavailable. Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are responsible for the majority of inherited familial PD cases and can also be found in sporadic PD, but the pathophysiological functions of LRRK2 have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we will review the evidence obtained in transgenic LRRK2 experimental models, characterized by altered striatal synaptic transmission, mitochondrial dysfunction, and α-synuclein aggregation. Interestingly, the processes triggered by mutant LRRK2 might represent early pathological phenomena in the pathogenesis of PD, anticipating the typical neurodegenerative features characterizing the late phases of the disease. A comprehensive view of LRRK2 neuronal pathophysiology will support the possible clinical application of pharmacological compounds targeting this protein, with potential therapeutic implications for patients suffering from both familial and sporadic PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mancini
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Petra Mazzocchetti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Bellingacci
- Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Dayne A Beccano-Kelly
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alessandro Tozzi
- Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Neuroscience Department, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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8
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Seegobin SP, Heaton GR, Liang D, Choi I, Blanca Ramirez M, Tang B, Yue Z. Progress in LRRK2-Associated Parkinson's Disease Animal Models. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:674. [PMID: 32765209 PMCID: PMC7381130 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most frequent cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Several genetic manipulations of the LRRK2 gene have been developed in animal models such as rodents, Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and zebrafish. These models can help us further understand the biological function and derive potential pathological mechanisms for LRRK2. Here we discuss common phenotypic themes found in LRRK2-associated PD animal models, highlight several issues that should be addressed in future models, and discuss emerging areas to guide their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P. Seegobin
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - George R. Heaton
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dongxiao Liang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Insup Choi
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marian Blanca Ramirez
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Zhenyu Yue
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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9
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Marchand A, Drouyer M, Sarchione A, Chartier-Harlin MC, Taymans JM. LRRK2 Phosphorylation, More Than an Epiphenomenon. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:527. [PMID: 32612495 PMCID: PMC7308437 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are linked to autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), and genetic variations at the LRRK2 locus are associated with an increased risk for sporadic PD. This gene encodes a kinase that is physiologically multiphosphorylated, including clusters of both heterologous phosphorylation and autophosphorylation sites. Several pieces of evidence indicate that LRRK2's phosphorylation is important for its pathological and physiological functioning. These include a reduced LRRK2 heterologous phosphorylation in PD brains or after pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity as well as the appearance of subcellular LRRK2 accumulations when this protein is dephosphorylated at heterologous phosphosites. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms governing LRRK2 phosphorylation levels and the cellular consequences of changes in LRRK2 phosphorylation remain incompletely understood. In this review, we present current knowledge on LRRK2 phosphorylation, LRRK2 phosphoregulation, and how LRRK2 phosphorylation changes affect cellular processes that may ultimately be linked to PD mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Marchand
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1172, Team “Brain Biology and Chemistry”, Lille, France
| | - Matthieu Drouyer
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1172, Team “Brain Biology and Chemistry”, Lille, France
| | - Alessia Sarchione
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1172, Team “Brain Biology and Chemistry”, Lille, France
| | - Marie-Christine Chartier-Harlin
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1172, Team “Brain Biology and Chemistry”, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Marc Taymans
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, Lille, France
- Inserm, UMR-S 1172, Team “Brain Biology and Chemistry”, Lille, France
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10
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di Caudo C, Martínez-Valbuena I, Mundiñano IC, Gennetier A, Hernandez M, Carmona-Abellan M, Marcilla Garcia I, Kremer EJ, Luquin R. CAV-2-Mediated GFP and LRRK2 G2019S Expression in the Macaca fascicularis Brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:49. [PMID: 32269512 PMCID: PMC7109318 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms that gradually appear as a consequence of the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Currently, no treatment can slow Parkinson’s disease progression. Inasmuch, there is a need to develop animal models that can be used to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuron death. The initial goal of this study was to determine if canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) vectors are effective gene transfer tools in the monkey brain. A second objective was to explore the possibility of developing a large nonhuman primate that expresses one of the most common genetic mutations causing Parkinson’s disease. Our studies demonstrate the neuronal tropism, retrograde transport, biodistribution, and efficacy of CAV-2 vectors expressing GFP and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2G2019S) in the Macaca fascicularis brain. Our data also suggest that following optimization CAV-2-mediated LRRK2G2019S expression could help us model the neurodegenerative processes of this genetic subtype of Parkinson’s disease in monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla di Caudo
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ivan Martínez-Valbuena
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki-Carril Mundiñano
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aurelie Gennetier
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Maria Hernandez
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mar Carmona-Abellan
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Irene Marcilla Garcia
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Eric J Kremer
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Rosario Luquin
- Division of Neuroscience, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Neurology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
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11
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Mercatelli D, Bolognesi P, Frassineti M, Pisanò CA, Longo F, Shimshek DR, Morari M. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) inhibitors differentially modulate glutamate release and Serine935 LRRK2 phosphorylation in striatal and cerebrocortical synaptosomes. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2019; 7:e00484. [PMID: 31149340 PMCID: PMC6536420 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene have been pathogenically linked to Parkinson's disease, and pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 is being pursued to tackle nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration. However, LRRK2 kinase inhibitors may have manifold actions, affecting not only pathological mechanisms in dopaminergic neurons but also physiological functions in nondopaminergic neurons. Therefore, we investigated whether LRRK2 kinase inhibitors differentially modulate dopamine and glutamate release from the mouse striatum and cerebral cortex. Spontaneous and KCl-evoked [3H]-dopamine and glutamate release from superfused synaptosomes obtained from wild-type and LRRK2 knock-out, kinase-dead or G2019S knock-in mice was measured. Two structurally unrelated inhibitors, LRRK2-IN-1 and GSK2578215A, were tested. LRRK2, phosphoSerine1292 and phosphoSerine935 LRRK2 levels were measured in all genotypes, and target engagement was evaluated by monitoring phosphoSerine935 LRRK2. LRRK2-IN-1 inhibited striatal glutamate but not dopamine release; GSK2578215A inhibited striatal dopamine and cortical glutamate but enhanced striatal glutamate release. LRRK2-IN-1 reduced striatal and cortical phosphoSerine935 levels whereas GSK2578215A inhibited only the former. Neither LRRK2 inhibitor affected neurotransmitter release in LRRK2 knock-out and kinase-dead mice; however, they facilitated dopamine without affecting striatal glutamate in G2019S knock-in mice. GSK2578215A inhibited cortical glutamate release in G2019S knock-in mice. We conclude that LRRK2-IN-1 and GSK2578215A modulate exocytosis by blocking LRRK2 kinase activity, although their effects vary depending on the nerve terminal examined. The G2019S mutation unravels a dopamine-promoting action of LRRK2 inhibitors while blunting their effects on glutamate release, which highlights their positive potential for the treatment of PD, especially of LRRK2 mutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Mercatelli
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Paolo Bolognesi
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Martina Frassineti
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Clarissa A. Pisanò
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
| | - Francesco Longo
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Present address:
Center for Neural ScienceNew York University4 Washington PlaceNew YorkNY10003USA
| | - Derya R. Shimshek
- Department of NeuroscienceNovartis Institutes for BioMedical ResearchNovartis Pharma AGBaselSwitzerland
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Medical SciencesSection of PharmacologyUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
- Neuroscience Center and National Institute of NeuroscienceUniversity of FerraraFerraraItaly
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12
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Lasbleiz C, Mestre-Francés N, Devau G, Luquin MR, Tenenbaum L, Kremer EJ, Verdier JM. Combining Gene Transfer and Nonhuman Primates to Better Understand and Treat Parkinson's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:10. [PMID: 30804750 PMCID: PMC6378268 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive CNS disorder that is primarily associated with impaired movement. PD develops over decades and is linked to the gradual loss of dopamine delivery to the striatum, via the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). While the administration of L-dopa and deep brain stimulation are potent therapies, their costs, side effects and gradual loss of efficacy underlines the need to develop other approaches. Unfortunately, the lack of pertinent animal models that reproduce DA neuron loss and behavior deficits—in a timeline that mimics PD progression—has hindered the identification of alternative therapies. A complementary approach to transgenic animals is the use of nonhuman primates (NHPs) combined with the overexpression of disease-related genes using viral vectors. This approach may induce phenotypes that are not influenced by developmental compensation mechanisms, and that take into account the personality of animals. In this review article, we discuss the combination of gene transfer and NHPs to develop “genetic” models of PD that are suitable for testing therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle Lasbleiz
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, PSL University, Montpellier, France
| | - Nadine Mestre-Francés
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, PSL University, Montpellier, France
| | - Gina Devau
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, PSL University, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Liliane Tenenbaum
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurotherapies and NeuroModulation, Clinical Neuroscience Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric J Kremer
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Michel Verdier
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, U1198, PSL University, Montpellier, France
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13
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Tozzi A, Tantucci M, Marchi S, Mazzocchetti P, Morari M, Pinton P, Mancini A, Calabresi P. Dopamine D2 receptor-mediated neuroprotection in a G2019S Lrrk2 genetic model of Parkinson's disease. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:204. [PMID: 29434188 PMCID: PMC5833812 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0221-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which genetic and environmental factors synergistically lead to loss of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. Mutation of leucine-rich repeated kinase2 (Lrrk2) genes is responsible for the majority of inherited familial cases of PD and can also be found in sporadic cases. The pathophysiological role of this kinase has to be fully understood yet. Hyperactivation of Lrrk2 kinase domain might represent a predisposing factor for both enhanced striatal glutamatergic release and mitochondrial vulnerability to environmental factors that are observed in PD. To investigate possible alterations of striatal susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction, we performed electrophysiological recordings from the nucleus striatum of a G2019S Lrrk2 mouse model of PD, as well as molecular and morphological analyses of G2019S Lrrk2-expressing SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. In G2019S mice, we found reduced striatal DA levels, according to the hypothesis of alteration of dopaminergic transmission, and increased loss of field potential induced by the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone. This detrimental effect is reversed by the D2 DA receptor agonist quinpirole via the inhibition of the cAMP/PKA intracellular pathway. Analysis of mitochondrial functions in G2019S Lrrk2-expressing SH-SY5Y cells revealed strong rotenone-induced oxidative stress characterized by reduced Ca2+ buffering capability and ATP synthesis, production of reactive oxygen species, and increased mitochondrial fragmentation. Importantly, quinpirole was able to prevent all these changes. We suggest that the G2019S-Lrrk2 mutation is a predisposing factor for enhanced striatal susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction induced by exposure to mitochondrial environmental toxins and that the D2 receptor stimulation is neuroprotective on mitochondrial function, via the inhibition of cAMP/PKA intracellular pathway. We suggest new possible neuroprotective strategies for patients carrying this genetic alteration based on drugs specifically targeting Lrrk2 kinase domain and mitochondrial functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tozzi
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michela Tantucci
- Neurological clinic, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Saverio Marchi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Petra Mazzocchetti
- Neurological clinic, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Morari
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Neurological clinic, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Neurological clinic, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
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14
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Creed RB, Goldberg MS. New Developments in Genetic rat models of Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2018; 33:717-729. [PMID: 29418019 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical research on Parkinson's disease has relied heavily on mouse and rat animal models. Initially, PD animal models were generated primarily by chemical neurotoxins that induce acute loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. On the discovery of genetic mutations causally linked to PD, mice were used more than rats to generate laboratory animals bearing PD-linked mutations because mutagenesis was more difficult in rats. Recent advances in technology for mammalian genome engineering and optimization of viral expression vectors have increased the use of genetic rat models of PD. Emerging research tools include "knockout" rats with disruption of genes in which mutations have been causally linked to PD, including LRRK2, α-synuclein, Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1. Rats have also been increasingly used for transgenic and viral-mediated overexpression of genes relevant to PD, particularly α-synuclein. It may not be realistic to obtain a single animal model that completely reproduces every feature of a human disease as complex as PD. Nevertheless, compared with mice with the same mutations, many genetic rat animal models of PD better reproduce key aspects of PD including progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, locomotor behavior deficits, and age-dependent formation of abnormal α-synuclein protein aggregates. Here we briefly review new developments in genetic rat models of PD that may have greater potential for identifying underlying mechanisms, for discovering novel therapeutic targets, and for developing greatly needed treatments to slow or halt disease progression. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose B Creed
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Matthew S Goldberg
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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15
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Cording AC, Shiaelis N, Petridi S, Middleton CA, Wilson LG, Elliott CJH. Targeted kinase inhibition relieves slowness and tremor in a Drosophila model of LRRK2 Parkinson's disease. NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE 2017; 3:34. [PMID: 29214211 PMCID: PMC5715132 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-017-0036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In a number of Drosophila models of genetic Parkinson’s disease (PD) flies climb more slowly than wild-type controls. However, this assay does not distinguish effects of PD-related genes on gravity sensation, “arousal”, central pattern generation of leg movements, or muscle. To address this problem, we have developed an assay for the fly proboscis extension response (PER). This is attractive because the PER has a simple, well-identified reflex neural circuit, in which sucrose sensing neurons activate a pair of “command interneurons”, and thence motoneurons whose activity contracts the proboscis muscle. This circuit is modulated by a single dopaminergic neuron (TH-VUM). We find that expressing either the G2019S or I2020T (but not R1441C, or kinase dead) forms of human LRRK2 in dopaminergic neurons reduces the percentage of flies that initially respond to sucrose stimulation. This is rescued fully by feeding l-DOPA and partially by feeding kinase inhibitors, targeted to LRRK2 (LRRK2-IN-1 and BMPPB-32). High-speed video shows that G2019S expression in dopaminergic neurons slows the speed of proboscis extension, makes its duration more variable, and increases the tremor. Testing subsets of dopaminergic neurons suggests that the single TH-VUM neuron is likely most important in this phenotype. We conclude the Drosophila PER provides an excellent model of LRRK2 motor deficits showing bradykinesia, akinesia, hypokinesia, and increased tremor, with the possibility to localize changes in neural signaling. A simple reflex in flies can be used to test the effectiveness of therapies that slow neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Christopher Elliott and colleagues at the University of York in the United Kingdom investigated the contraction of the proboscis muscle which mediates a taste behavior response and is regulated by a single dopaminergic neuron. Flies bearing particular mutations in the PD-associated gene leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) in dopaminergic neurons lost their ability to feed on a sweet solution. This was due to the movement of the proboscis muscle becoming slower and stiffer, hallmark features of PD. The authors rescued the impaired reflex reaction by feeding the flies l-DOPA or LRRK2 inhibitors. These findings highlight the proboscis extension response as a useful tool to identify other PD-associated mutations and test potential therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C Cording
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO1 5DD UK
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16
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LRRK2 mouse models: dissecting the behavior, striatal neurochemistry and neurophysiology of PD pathogenesis. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:113-122. [PMID: 28202664 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD), resembling the sporadic disorder. Intensive effort has been directed toward LRRK2 mouse modeling and investigation, aimed at reproducing the human disease to inform mechanistic studies of pathogenesis and design of neuroprotective therapies. The physiological function of LRRK2 is still under exploration, but a clear role in striatal neurophysiology and animal behavior has emerged. Alterations in LRRK2 impair dopamine (DA) transmission, regulation and signaling, in addition to corticostriatal synaptic plasticity. Consistently, several subtle abnormalities in motor and nonmotor abilities have been demonstrated in LRRK2 genetic mouse models, generally paralleling preclinical symptoms of early DA dysfunction. However, the variability in model design and phenotypes observed requires a critical approach in interpreting the results, adapting the model used to the specific research question. Etiologically appropriate knockin mice might represent the ultimate animal model in which to study early disease mechanisms and therapies as well as to investigate drug effectiveness and off-target consequences.
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17
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Longo F, Mercatelli D, Novello S, Arcuri L, Brugnoli A, Vincenzi F, Russo I, Berti G, Mabrouk OS, Kennedy RT, Shimshek DR, Varani K, Bubacco L, Greggio E, Morari M. Age-dependent dopamine transporter dysfunction and Serine129 phospho-α-synuclein overload in G2019S LRRK2 mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:22. [PMID: 28292328 PMCID: PMC5351259 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0426-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease. Here, we investigated whether the G2019S LRRK2 mutation causes morphological and/or functional changes at nigro-striatal dopamine neurons. Density of striatal dopaminergic terminals, nigral cell counts, tyrosine hydroxylase protein levels as well as exocytotic dopamine release measured in striatal synaptosomes, or striatal extracellular dopamine levels monitored by in vivo microdialysis were similar between ≥12-month-old G2019S knock-in mice and wild-type controls. In vivo striatal dopamine release was insensitive to the LRRK2 inhibitor Nov-LRRK2-11, and was elevated by the membrane dopamine transporter blocker GBR-12783. However, G2019S knock-in mice showed a blunted neurochemical and motor activation response to GBR-12783 compared to wild-type controls. Western blot and dopamine uptake analysis revealed an increase in dopamine transporter levels and activity in the striatum of 12-month-old G2019S KI mice. This phenotype correlated with a reduction in vesicular monoamine transporter 2 levels and an enhancement of vesicular dopamine uptake, which was consistent with greater resistance to reserpine-induced hypolocomotion. These changes were not observed in 3-month-old mice. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed no genotype difference in striatal levels of endogenous α-synuclein or α-synuclein bound to DOPAL (a toxic metabolite of dopamine). However, Serine129-phosphorylated α-synuclein levels were higher in 12-month-old G2019S knock-in mice. Immunohistochemistry confirmed this finding, also showing no genotype difference in 3-month-old mice. We conclude that the G2019S mutation causes progressive dysfunctions of dopamine transporters, along with Serine129-phosphorylated α-synuclein overload, at striatal dopaminergic terminals, which are not associated with dopamine homeostasis dysregulation or neuron loss but might contribute to intrinsic dopaminergic terminal vulnerability. We propose G2019S knock-in mice as a presymptomatic Parkinson’s disease model, useful to investigate the pathogenic interaction among genetics, aging, and internal or environmental factors leading to the disease.
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18
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Xiong Y, Dawson TM, Dawson VL. Models of LRRK2-Associated Parkinson's Disease. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 14:163-191. [PMID: 28353284 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-49969-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) and also one of the strongest genetic risk factors in sporadic PD. The LRRK2 protein contains a GTPase and a kinase domain and several protein-protein interaction domains. Both in vitro and in vivo assays in different model systems have provided tremendous insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying LRRK2-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Among all the model systems, animal models are crucial tools to study the pathogenesis of human disease. How do the animal models recapitulate LRRK2-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss in human PD? To answer this question, this review focuses on the discussion of the animal models of LRRK2-associated PD including genetic- and viral-based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulan Xiong
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA.
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70130-2685, USA. .,Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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19
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Langston RG, Rudenko IN, Cookson MR. The function of orthologues of the human Parkinson's disease gene LRRK2 across species: implications for disease modelling in preclinical research. Biochem J 2016; 473:221-32. [PMID: 26811536 PMCID: PMC5165698 DOI: 10.1042/bj20150985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the period since LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) was identified as a causal gene for late-onset autosomal dominant parkinsonism, a great deal of work has been aimed at understanding whether the LRRK2 protein might be a druggable target for Parkinson's disease (PD). As part of this effort, animal models have been developed to explore both the normal and the pathophysiological roles of LRRK2. However, LRRK2 is part of a wider family of proteins whose functions in different organisms remain poorly understood. In this review, we compare the information available on biochemical properties of LRRK2 homologues and orthologues from different species from invertebrates (e.g. Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster) to mammals. We particularly discuss the mammalian LRRK2 homologue, LRRK1, and those species where there is only a single LRRK homologue, discussing examples where each of the LRRK family of proteins has distinct properties as well as those cases where there appear to be functional redundancy. We conclude that uncovering the function of LRRK2 orthologues will help to elucidate the key properties of human LRRK2 as well as to improve understanding of the suitability of different animal models for investigation of LRRK2-related PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah G. Langston
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, NIA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892
| | - Iakov N. Rudenko
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, NIA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892
| | - Mark R. Cookson
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, NIA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892
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20
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Sloan M, Alegre-Abarrategui J, Potgieter D, Kaufmann AK, Exley R, Deltheil T, Threlfell S, Connor-Robson N, Brimblecombe K, Wallings R, Cioroch M, Bannerman DM, Bolam JP, Magill PJ, Cragg SJ, Dodson PD, Wade-Martins R. LRRK2 BAC transgenic rats develop progressive, L-DOPA-responsive motor impairment, and deficits in dopamine circuit function. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:951-63. [PMID: 26744332 PMCID: PMC4754049 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) lead to late-onset, autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease, characterized by the degeneration of dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, a deficit in dopamine neurotransmission and the development of motor and non-motor symptoms. The most prevalent Parkinson's disease LRRK2 mutations are located in the kinase (G2019S) and GTPase (R1441C) encoding domains of LRRK2. To better understand the sequence of events that lead to progressive neurophysiological deficits in vulnerable neurons and circuits in Parkinson's disease, we have generated LRRK2 bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic rats expressing either G2019S or R1441C mutant, or wild-type LRRK2, from the complete human LRRK2 genomic locus, including endogenous promoter and regulatory regions. Aged (18-21 months) G2019S and R1441C mutant transgenic rats exhibit L-DOPA-responsive motor dysfunction, impaired striatal dopamine release as determined by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, and cognitive deficits. In addition, in vivo recordings of identified substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons in R1441C LRRK2 transgenic rats reveal an age-dependent reduction in burst firing, which likely results in further reductions to striatal dopamine release. These alterations to dopamine circuit function occur in the absence of neurodegeneration or abnormal protein accumulation within the substantia nigra pars compacta, suggesting that nigrostriatal dopamine dysfunction precedes detectable protein aggregation and cell death in the development of Parkinson's disease. In conclusion, our longitudinal deep-phenotyping provides novel insights into how the genetic burden arising from human mutant LRRK2 manifests as early pathophysiological changes to dopamine circuit function and highlights a potential model for testing Parkinson's therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Sloan
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | | | - Dawid Potgieter
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | - Anna-Kristin Kaufmann
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Richard Exley
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | - Thierry Deltheil
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | - Sarah Threlfell
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | | | | | - Rebecca Wallings
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | - Milena Cioroch
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics
| | - David M Bannerman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - J Paul Bolam
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Peter J Magill
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Stephanie J Cragg
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics,
| | - Paul D Dodson
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Department of Pharmacology and
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics,
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21
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Liu G, Sgobio C, Gu X, Sun L, Lin X, Yu J, Parisiadou L, Xie C, Sastry N, Ding J, Lohr KM, Miller GW, Mateo Y, Lovinger DM, Cai H. Selective expression of Parkinson's disease-related Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 G2019S missense mutation in midbrain dopaminergic neurons impairs dopamine release and dopaminergic gene expression. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5299-312. [PMID: 26123485 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Preferential dysfunction/degeneration of midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons contributes to the main movement symptoms manifested in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S missense mutation (LRRK2 G2019S) is the most common causative genetic factor linked to PD, the effects of LRRK2 G2019S on the function and survival of SNpc DA neurons are poorly understood. Using a binary gene expression system, we generated transgenic mice expressing either wild-type human LRRK2 (WT mice) or the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (G2019S mice) selectively in the midbrain DA neurons. Here we show that overexpression of LRRK2 G2019S did not induce overt motor abnormalities or substantial SNpc DA neuron loss. However, the LRRK2 G2019S mutation impaired dopamine homeostasis and release in aged mice. This reduction in dopamine content/release coincided with the degeneration of DA axon terminals and decreased expression of DA neuron-enriched genes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicular monoamine transporter 2, dopamine transporter and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. These factors are responsible for dopamine synthesis, transport and degradation, and their expression is regulated by transcription factor paired-like homeodomain 3 (PITX3). Levels of Pitx3 mRNA and protein were similarly decreased in the SNpc DA neurons of aged G2019S mice. Together, these findings suggest that PITX3-dependent transcription regulation could be one of the many potential mechanisms by which LRRK2 G2019S acts in SNpc DA neurons, resulting in downregulation of its downstream target genes critical for dopamine homeostasis and release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiang Liu
- Transgenics Section and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Loukia Parisiadou
- Transgenics Section and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | | | - Namratha Sastry
- Transgenics Section and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jinhui Ding
- Bioinformatics Core, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kelly M Lohr
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA and
| | - Gary W Miller
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA and
| | - Yolanda Mateo
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - David M Lovinger
- Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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22
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Shaikh KT, Yang A, Youshin E, Schmid S. Transgenic LRRK2 (R1441G) rats-a model for Parkinson disease? PeerJ 2015; 3:e945. [PMID: 26020005 PMCID: PMC4435452 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder, characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. While the cause of this disease is largely unknown, a rare autosomal dominant familial form of PD is caused by a genetic mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene that presumably leads to a gain-of-function of LRRK2 kinase activity. Here, we explored the potential of over expression of this human gene in a new transgenic rat model to serve as an animal model for PD. Commercially available BAC transgenic rats expressing human LRRK2 with the familial PD mutation, R1441G, and their wild-type siblings were tested for deficits in motor function, sensorimotor gating, and higher cognitive function reminiscent of PD through the ages of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. At 12 months of age, rats were exposed to intraperitoneal injections of the environmental toxin Paraquat or saline. Our results indicate that LRRK2 (R1441G) transgenic rats do not show signs of neurodegeneration and do not develop significant motor or cognitive deficits until the age of 16 months. In addition, LRRK2 (R1441G) transgenic rats did not show increased vulnerability to sub-toxic doses of Paraquat. Gene expression studies indicate that despite genomic presence and initial expression of the transgene, its expression was greatly reduced in our aged rats. We conclude that the transgenic LRRK2 (R1441G) rat is not a valid model for studying the pathology of PD and discuss this in relation to other transgenic rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal T Shaikh
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario , London, ON , Canada
| | - Alvin Yang
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario , London, ON , Canada
| | - Ekaterina Youshin
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario , London, ON , Canada
| | - Susanne Schmid
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario , London, ON , Canada
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23
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Wallings R, Manzoni C, Bandopadhyay R. Cellular processes associated with LRRK2 function and dysfunction. FEBS J 2015; 282:2806-26. [PMID: 25899482 PMCID: PMC4522467 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)-encoding gene are the most common cause of monogenic Parkinson's disease. The identification of LRRK2 polymorphisms associated with increased risk for sporadic Parkinson's disease, as well as the observation that LRRK2-Parkinson's disease has a pathological phenotype that is almost indistinguishable from the sporadic form of disease, suggested LRRK2 as the culprit to provide understanding for both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease cases. LRRK2 is a large protein with both GTPase and kinase functions. Mutations segregating with Parkinson's disease reside within the enzymatic core of LRRK2, suggesting that modification of its activity impacts greatly on disease onset and progression. Although progress has been made since its discovery in 2004, there is still much to be understood regarding LRRK2's physiological and neurotoxic properties. Unsurprisingly, given the presence of multiple enzymatic domains, LRRK2 has been associated with a diverse set of cellular functions and signalling pathways including mitochondrial function, vesicle trafficking together with endocytosis, retromer complex modulation and autophagy. This review discusses the state of current knowledge on the role of LRRK2 in health and disease with discussion of potential substrates of phosphorylation and functional partners with particular emphasis on signalling mechanisms. In addition, the use of immune cells in LRRK2 research and the role of oxidative stress as a regulator of LRRK2 activity and cellular function are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Wallings
- Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Claudia Manzoni
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, UK.,UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Rina Bandopadhyay
- Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Progressive dopaminergic alterations and mitochondrial abnormalities in LRRK2 G2019S knock-in mice. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 78:172-95. [PMID: 25836420 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the LRRK2 gene represent the most common genetic cause of late onset Parkinson's disease. The physiological and pathological roles of LRRK2 are yet to be fully determined but evidence points towards LRRK2 mutations causing a gain in kinase function, impacting on neuronal maintenance, vesicular dynamics and neurotransmitter release. To explore the role of physiological levels of mutant LRRK2, we created knock-in (KI) mice harboring the most common LRRK2 mutation G2019S in their own genome. We have performed comprehensive dopaminergic, behavioral and neuropathological analyses in this model up to 24months of age. We find elevated kinase activity in the brain of both heterozygous and homozygous mice. Although normal at 6months, by 12months of age, basal and pharmacologically induced extracellular release of dopamine is impaired in both heterozygous and homozygous mice, corroborating previous findings in transgenic models over-expressing mutant LRRK2. Via in vivo microdialysis measurement of basal and drug-evoked extracellular release of dopamine and its metabolites, our findings indicate that exocytotic release from the vesicular pool is impaired. Furthermore, profound mitochondrial abnormalities are evident in the striatum of older homozygous G2019S KI mice, which are consistent with mitochondrial fission arrest. We anticipate that this G2019S mouse line will be a useful pre-clinical model for further evaluation of early mechanistic events in LRRK2 pathogenesis and for second-hit approaches to model disease progression.
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Tsika E, Nguyen APT, Dusonchet J, Colin P, Schneider BL, Moore DJ. Adenoviral-mediated expression of G2019S LRRK2 induces striatal pathology in a kinase-dependent manner in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 77:49-61. [PMID: 25731749 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene cause late-onset, autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 contains functional GTPase and kinase domains. The most common G2019S mutation enhances the kinase activity of LRRK2 in vitro whereas G2019S LRRK2 expression in cultured neurons induces toxicity in a kinase-dependent manner. These observations suggest a potential role for kinase activity in LRRK2-associated PD. We have recently developed a novel rodent model of PD with progressive neurodegeneration induced by the adenoviral-mediated expression of G2019S LRRK2. In the present study, we further characterize this LRRK2 model and determine the contribution of kinase activity to LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration. Recombinant human adenoviral vectors were employed to deliver human wild-type, G2019S or kinase-inactive G2019S/D1994N LRRK2 to the rat striatum. LRRK2-dependent pathology was assessed in the striatum, a region where LRRK2 protein is normally enriched in the mammalian brain. Human LRRK2 variants are robustly expressed throughout the rat striatum. Expression of G2019S LRRK2 selectively induces the accumulation of neuronal ubiquitin-positive inclusions accompanied by neurite degeneration and the altered distribution of axonal phosphorylated neurofilaments. Importantly, the introduction of a kinase-inactive mutation (G2019S/D1994N) completely ameliorates the pathological effects of G2019S LRRK2 in the striatum supporting a kinase activity-dependent mechanism for this PD-associated mutation. Collectively, our study further elucidates the pathological effects of the G2019S mutation in the mammalian brain and supports the development of kinase inhibitors as a potential therapeutic approach for treating LRRK2-associated PD. This adenoviral rodent model provides an important tool for elucidating the molecular basis of LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpida Tsika
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegenerative Research, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - An Phu Tran Nguyen
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Julien Dusonchet
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Colin
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Darren J Moore
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegenerative Research, Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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Xiao J, Vemula S, Yue Z. Rodent Models of Autosomal Dominant Parkinson Disease. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Daniel G, Moore DJ. Modeling LRRK2 Pathobiology in Parkinson's Disease: From Yeast to Rodents. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 22:331-368. [PMID: 24850078 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2014_311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2, PARK8) gene represent the most common cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD) with autosomal dominant inheritance, whereas common variation at the LRRK2 genomic locus influences the risk of developing idiopathic PD. LRRK2 is a member of the ROCO protein family and contains multiple domains, including Ras-of-Complex (ROC) GTPase, kinase, and protein-protein interaction domains. In the last decade, the biochemical characterization of LRRK2 and the development of animal model s have provided important insight into the pathobiology of LRRK2. In this review, we comprehensively describe the different models employed to understand LRRK2-associated PD, including yeast, invertebrates, transgenic and viral-based rodents, and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. We discuss how these models have contributed to understanding LRRK2 pathobiology and the advantages and limitations of each model for exploring aspects of LRRK2-associated PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Daniel
- School of Life Sciences, Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cebrián C, Loike JD, Sulzer D. Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease animal models: a cell stress response or a step in neurodegeneration? Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2015; 22:237-270. [PMID: 25293443 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2014_356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are due to the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Multiple neuroinflammatory processes are exacerbated in Parkinson's disease, including glial-mediated reactions, increased expression of proinflammatory substances, and lymphocytic infiltration, particularly in the substantia nigra. Neuroinflammation is also implicated in the neurodegeneration and consequent behavioral symptoms of many Parkinson's disease animal models, although it is not clear whether these features emulate pathogenic steps in the genuine disorder or if some inflammatory features provide protective stress responses. Here, we compare and summarize findings on neuroinflammatory responses and effects on behavior in a wide range of toxin-based, inflammatory and genetic Parkinson's disease animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Cebrián
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Blesa J, Przedborski S. Parkinson's disease: animal models and dopaminergic cell vulnerability. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:155. [PMID: 25565980 PMCID: PMC4266040 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects about 1.5% of the global population over 65 years of age. A hallmark feature of PD is the degeneration of the dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the consequent striatal DA deficiency. Yet, the pathogenesis of PD remains unclear. Despite tremendous growth in recent years in our knowledge of the molecular basis of PD and the molecular pathways of cell death, important questions remain, such as: (1) why are SNc cells especially vulnerable; (2) which mechanisms underlie progressive SNc cell loss; and (3) what do Lewy bodies or α-synuclein reveal about disease progression. Understanding the variable vulnerability of the dopaminergic neurons from the midbrain and the mechanisms whereby pathology becomes widespread are some of the primary objectives of research in PD. Animal models are the best tools to study the pathogenesis of PD. The identification of PD-related genes has led to the development of genetic PD models as an alternative to the classical toxin-based ones, but does the dopaminergic neuronal loss in actual animal models adequately recapitulate that of the human disease? The selection of a particular animal model is very important for the specific goals of the different experiments. In this review, we provide a summary of our current knowledge about the different in vivo models of PD that are used in relation to the vulnerability of the dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain in the pathogenesis of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Blesa
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
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Tsika E, Kannan M, Foo CSY, Dikeman D, Glauser L, Gellhaar S, Galter D, Knott GW, Dawson TM, Dawson VL, Moore DJ. Conditional expression of Parkinson's disease-related R1441C LRRK2 in midbrain dopaminergic neurons of mice causes nuclear abnormalities without neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 71:345-58. [PMID: 25174890 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene cause late-onset, autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). The clinical and neurochemical features of LRRK2-linked PD are similar to idiopathic disease although neuropathology is somewhat heterogeneous. Dominant mutations in LRRK2 precipitate neurodegeneration through a toxic gain-of-function mechanism which can be modeled in transgenic mice overexpressing human LRRK2 variants. A number of LRRK2 transgenic mouse models have been developed that display abnormalities in dopaminergic neurotransmission and alterations in tau metabolism yet without consistently inducing dopaminergic neurodegeneration. To directly explore the impact of mutant LRRK2 on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, we developed conditional transgenic mice that selectively express human R1441C LRRK2 in dopaminergic neurons from the endogenous murine ROSA26 promoter. The expression of R1441C LRRK2 does not induce the degeneration of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons or striatal dopamine deficits in mice up to 2years of age, and fails to precipitate abnormal protein inclusions containing alpha-synuclein, tau, ubiquitin or autophagy markers (LC3 and p62). Furthermore, mice expressing R1441C LRRK2 exhibit normal motor activity and olfactory function with increasing age. Intriguingly, the expression of R1441C LRRK2 induces age-dependent abnormalities of the nuclear envelope in nigral dopaminergic neurons including reduced nuclear circularity and increased invaginations of the nuclear envelope. In addition, R1441C LRRK2 mice display increased neurite complexity of cultured midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Collectively, these novel R1441C LRRK2 conditional transgenic mice reveal altered dopaminergic neuronal morphology with advancing age, and provide a useful tool for exploring the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the R1441C LRRK2 mutation in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpida Tsika
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Meghna Kannan
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Shi-Yan Foo
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dustin Dikeman
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Liliane Glauser
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Gellhaar
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dagmar Galter
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Graham W Knott
- Centre of Interdisciplinary Electron Microscopy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70130-2685, USA
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70130-2685, USA
| | - Darren J Moore
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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Genetic and pharmacological evidence that G2019S LRRK2 confers a hyperkinetic phenotype, resistant to motor decline associated with aging. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 71:62-73. [PMID: 25107341 PMCID: PMC4194318 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 mutation G2019S in the kinase-domain is the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease. To investigate the impact of the G2019S mutation on motor activity in vivo, a longitudinal phenotyping approach was developed in knock-in (KI) mice bearing this kinase-enhancing mutation. Two cohorts of G2019S KI mice and wild-type littermates (WT) were subjected to behavioral tests, specific for akinesia, bradykinesia and overall gait ability, at different ages (3, 6, 10, 15 and 19 months). The motor performance of G2019S KI mice remained stable up to the age of 19 months and did not show the typical age-related decline in immobility time and stepping activity of WT. Several lines of evidence suggest that enhanced LRRK2 kinase activity is the main contributor to the observed hyperkinetic phenotype of G2019S KI mice: i) KI mice carrying a LRRK2 kinase-dead mutation (D1994S KD) showed a similar progressive motor decline as WT; ii) two LRRK2 kinase inhibitors, H-1152 and Nov-LRRK2-11, acutely reversed the hyperkinetic phenotype of G2019S KI mice, while being ineffective in WT or D1994S KD animals. LRRK2 target engagement in vivo was further substantiated by reduction of LRRK2 phosphorylation at Ser935 in the striatum and cortex at efficacious doses of Nov-LRRK2-11, and in the striatum at efficacious doses of H-1152. In summary, expression of the G2019S mutation in the mouse LRRK2 gene confers a hyperkinetic phenotype that is resistant to age-related motor decline, likely via enhancement of LRRK2 kinase activity. This study provides an in vivo model to investigate the effects of LRRK2 inhibitors on motor function. The LRRK2 G2019S mutation confers a hyperkinetic phenotype. The LRRK2 D1994S kinase-dead mutation does not affect motor phenotype. The LRRK2 kinase inhibitors reverse motor phenotype of G2019S mice. The LRRK2 kinase inhibitors inhibit LRRK2 phosphorylation at Ser935 ex-vivo.
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Esteves AR, Swerdlow RH, Cardoso SM. LRRK2, a puzzling protein: insights into Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Exp Neurol 2014; 261:206-16. [PMID: 24907399 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a large, ubiquitous protein of unknown function. Mutations in the gene encoding LRRK2 have been linked to familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) cases. The LRRK2 protein is a single polypeptide that displays GTPase and kinase activity. Kinase and GTPase domains are involved in different cellular signaling pathways. Despite several experimental studies associating LRRK2 protein with various intracellular membranes and vesicular structures such as endosomal/lysosomal compartments, the mitochondrial outer membrane, lipid rafts, microtubule-associated vesicles, the golgi complex, and the endoplasmic reticulum its broader physiologic function(s) remain unidentified. Additionally, the cellular distribution of LRRK2 may indicate its role in several different pathways, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system, the autophagic-lysosomal pathway, intracellular trafficking, and mitochondrial dysfunction. This review discusses potential mechanisms through which LRRK2 may mediate neurodegeneration and cause PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Raquel Esteves
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Russell H Swerdlow
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sandra M Cardoso
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Zhao Y, Xiong N, Liu Y, Zhou Y, Li N, Qing H, Lin Z. Human dopamine transporter gene: differential regulation of 18-kb haplotypes. Pharmacogenomics 2014; 14:1481-94. [PMID: 24024899 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.13.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Since previous functional studies of short haplotypes and polymorphic sites of SLC6A3 have shown variant-dependent and drug-sensitive promoter activity, this study aimed to understand whether a large SLC6A3 regulatory region, containing these small haplotypes and polymorphic sites, can display haplotype-dependent promoter activity in a drug-sensitive and pathway-related manner. MATERIALS & METHODS By creating and using a single copy number luciferase-reporter vector, we examined regulation of two different SLC6A3 haplotypes (A and B) of the 5´ 18-kb promoter and two known downstream regulatory variable number tandem repeats by 17 drugs in four different cellular models. RESULTS The two regulatory haplotypes displayed up to 3.2-fold difference in promoter activity. The regulations were drug selective (37.5% of the drugs showed effects), and both haplotype and cell type dependent. Pathway analysis revealed at least 13 main signaling hubs targeting SLC6A3, including histone deacetylation, AKT, PKC and CK2 α-chains. CONCLUSION SLC6A3 may be regulated via either its promoter or the variable number tandem repeats independently by specific signaling pathways and in a haplotype-dependent manner. Furthermore, we have developed the first pathway map for SLC6A3 regulation. These findings provide a framework for understanding complex and variant-dependent regulations of SLC6A3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School & Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurogenomics, Division of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, McLean Hospital, Mailstop 318, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
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Liu HF, Lu S, Ho PWL, Tse HM, Pang SYY, Kung MHW, Ho JWM, Ramsden DB, Zhou ZJ, Ho SL. LRRK2 R1441G mice are more liable to dopamine depletion and locomotor inactivity. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2014; 1:199-208. [PMID: 25356398 PMCID: PMC4184549 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) pose a significant genetic risk in familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). R1441 mutation (R1441G/C) in its GTPase domain is found in familial PD. How LRRK2 interacts with synaptic proteins, and its role in dopamine (DA) homeostasis and synaptic vesicle recycling remain unclear. Methods To explore the pathogenic effects of LRRK2R1441G mutation on nigrostriatal synaptic nerve terminals and locomotor activity, we generated C57BL/6N mice with homozygous LRRK2R1441G knockin (KI) mutation, and examined for early changes in nigrostriatal region, striatal synaptosomal [3H]-DA uptake and locomotor activity after reserpine-induced DA depletion. Results Under normal conditions, mutant mice showed no differences, (1) in amount and morphology of nigrostriatal DA neurons and neurites, (2) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), DA uptake transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) expression in striatum, (3) COX IV, LC3B, Beclin-1 expression in midbrain, (4) LRRK2 expression in total cell lysate from whole brain, (5) α-synuclein, ubiquitin, and tau protein immunostaining in midbrain, (6) locomotor activity, compared to wild-type controls. However, after a single intraperitoneal reserpine dose, striatal synaptosomes from young 3-month-old mutant mice demonstrated significantly lower DA uptake with impaired locomotor activity and significantly slower recovery from the effects of reserpine. Interpretation Although no abnormal phenotype was observed in mutant LRRK2R1441G mice, the KI mutation increases vulnerability to reserpine-induced striatal DA depletion and perturbed DA homeostasis resulting in presynaptic dysfunction and locomotor deficits with impaired recovery from reserpine. This subtle nigrostriatal synaptic vulnerability may reflect one of the earliest pathogenic processes in LRRK2-associated PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Liu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - Song Lu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - Philip Wing-Lok Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - Ho-Man Tse
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - Shirley Yin-Yu Pang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | | | - Jessica Wing-Man Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - David B Ramsden
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Zhong-Jun Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
| | - Shu-Leong Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong ; Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
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Migheli R, Del Giudice MG, Spissu Y, Sanna G, Xiong Y, Dawson TM, Dawson VL, Galioto M, Rocchitta G, Biosa A, Serra PA, Carri MT, Crosio C, Iaccarino C. LRRK2 affects vesicle trafficking, neurotransmitter extracellular level and membrane receptor localization. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77198. [PMID: 24167564 PMCID: PMC3805556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene was found to play a role in the pathogenesis of both familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). LRRK2 encodes a large multi-domain protein that is expressed in different tissues. To date, the physiological and pathological functions of LRRK2 are not clearly defined. In this study we have explored the role of LRRK2 in controlling vesicle trafficking in different cellular or animal models and using various readouts. In neuronal cells, the presence of LRRK2G2019S pathological mutant determines increased extracellular dopamine levels either under basal conditions or upon nicotine stimulation. Moreover, mutant LRRK2 affects the levels of dopamine receptor D1 on the membrane surface in neuronal cells or animal models. Ultrastructural analysis of PC12-derived cells expressing mutant LRRK2G2019S shows an altered intracellular vesicle distribution. Taken together, our results point to the key role of LRRK2 to control vesicle trafficking in neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Migheli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Ylenia Spissu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Yulan Xiong
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ted M. Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Valina L. Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Manuela Galioto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gaia Rocchitta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alice Biosa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pier Andrea Serra
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Carri
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Crosio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Iaccarino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Rideout HJ, Stefanis L. The neurobiology of LRRK2 and its role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Neurochem Res 2013; 39:576-92. [PMID: 23729298 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-013-1073-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a large, widely expressed protein of largely unknown function. Mutations in the gene encoding LRRK2 have been linked to multiple diseases, including a prominent association with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as inflammatory bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease. The LRRK2 protein possesses both kinase and GTPase signaling domains, as well as multiple protein interaction domains. Experimental studies in both cellular and in vivo models of mutant LRRK2-induced neurodegeneration have given clues to potential function(s) of LRRK2, yet much remains unknown. For example, while it is known that intact kinase and GTPase activity are required for mutant forms of the protein to trigger cell death, the specific targets of these enzymatic activities that mediate the death of neurons are not known. In this review, we discuss the evidence linking LRRK2 to various cellular/neuronal activities such as extrinsic death and inflammatory signaling, lysosomal protein degradation, the cytoskeletal system and neurite outgrowth, vesicle trafficking, mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as multiple points of interaction with several other genes linked to the pathogenesis of PD. In order for more effective therapeutic strategies to be envisioned and implemented, the mechanisms underlying LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration need to be better characterized. Furthermore, insights into LRRK2-associated PD pathogenesis can potentially advance our understanding of the more common sporadic forms of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardy J Rideout
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Division of Basic Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Soranou Efesiou 4, 11527, Athens, Greece,
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38
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Insights into LRRK2 function and dysfunction from transgenic and knockout rodent models. Biochem Soc Trans 2013; 40:1080-5. [PMID: 22988869 DOI: 10.1042/bst20120151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) gene on chromosome 12 cause autosomal dominant PD (Parkinson's disease), which is indistinguishable from sporadic forms of the disease. Numerous attempts have therefore been made to model PD in rodents via the transgenic expression of LRRK2 and its mutant variants and to elucidate the function of LRRK2 by knocking out rodent Lrrk2. Although these models often only partially recapitulate PD pathology, they have helped to elucidate both the normal and pathological function of LRRK2. In particular, LRRK2 has been suggested to play roles in cytoskeletal dynamics, synaptic machinery, dopamine homoeostasis and autophagic processes. Our understanding of how these pathways are affected, their contribution towards PD development and their interaction with one another is still incomplete, however. The present review summarizes the findings from LRRK2 rodent models and draws potential connections between the apparently disparate cellular processes altered, in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of LRRK2 dysfunction and illuminate future therapeutic interventions.
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Cannon JR, Geghman KD, Tapias V, Sew T, Dail MK, Li C, Greenamyre JT. Expression of human E46K-mutated α-synuclein in BAC-transgenic rats replicates early-stage Parkinson's disease features and enhances vulnerability to mitochondrial impairment. Exp Neurol 2012; 240:44-56. [PMID: 23153578 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is etiologically heterogeneous, with most cases thought to arise from a combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition; about 10% of cases are caused by single gene mutations. While neurotoxin models replicate many of the key behavioral and neurological features, they often have limited relevance to human exposures. Genetic models replicate known disease-causing mutations, but are mostly unsuccessful in reproducing major features of PD. In this study, we created a BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenic rat model of PD expressing the E46K mutation of α-synuclein, which is pathogenic in humans. The mutant protein was expressed at levels ~2-3-fold above endogenous α-synuclein levels. At 12 months of age, there was no overt damage to the nigrostriatal dopamine system; however, (i) alterations in striatal neurotransmitter metabolism, (ii) accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein in nigral dopamine neurons, and (iii) evidence of oxidative stress suggest this model replicates several preclinical features of PD. Further, when these animals were exposed to rotenone, a mitochondrial toxin linked to PD, they showed heightened sensitivity, indicating that α-synuclein expression modulates the vulnerability to mitochondrial impairment. We conclude that these animals are well-suited to examination of gene-environment interactions that are relevant to PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Cannon
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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40
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Lindgren HS, Dunnett SB. Cognitive dysfunction and depression in Parkinson's disease: what can be learned from rodent models? Eur J Neurosci 2012; 35:1894-907. [PMID: 22708601 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2012.08162.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) has for decades been considered a pure motor disorder and its cardinal motor symptoms have been attributed to the loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and to nigral Lewy body pathology. However, there has more recently been a shift in the conceptualization of the disease, and its pathological features have now been recognized as involving several other areas of the brain and indeed even outside the central nervous system. There are a corresponding variety of intrinsic non-motor symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances and neuropsychiatric problems, which cannot be explained exclusively by nigral pathology. In this review, we will focus on cognitive impairment and affective symptoms in PD, and we will consider whether, and how, these deficits can best be modelled in rodent models of the disorder. As only a few of the non-motor symptoms respond to standard DA replacement therapies, the quest for a broader therapeutic approach remains a major research effort, and success in this area in particular will be strongly dependent on appropriate rodent models. In addition, better understanding of the different models, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the available behavioural tasks, will result in better tools for evaluating new treatment strategies for PD patients suffering from these neuropsychological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna S Lindgren
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Life Sciences Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AX, UK.
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41
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Targeting phosphatases as the next generation of disease modifying therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease. Neurochem Int 2012; 61:899-906. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2012] [Revised: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
Mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) (also known as PARK8 or dardarin) are responsible for the autosomal-dominant form of PD (Parkinson's disease). LRRK2 mutations were found in approximately 3–5% of familial and 1–3% of sporadic PD cases with the highest prevalence (up to 40%) in North Africans and Ashkenazi Jews. To date, mutations in LRRK2 are a major genetic risk factor for familial and sporadic PD. Despite the fact that 8 years have passed from the establishment of the first link between PD and dardarin in 2004, the pathophysiological role of LRRK2 in PD onset and progression is far from clearly defined. Also the generation of different LRRK2 transgenic or knockout animals has not provided new hints on the function of LRRK2 in the brain. The present paper reviews recent evidence regarding a potential role of LRRK2 in the regulation of membrane trafficking from vesicle generation to the movement along cytoskeleton and finally to vesicle fusion with cell membrane.
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Herzig MC, Bidinosti M, Schweizer T, Hafner T, Stemmelen C, Weiss A, Danner S, Vidotto N, Stauffer D, Barske C, Mayer F, Schmid P, Rovelli G, van der Putten PH, Shimshek DR. High LRRK2 levels fail to induce or exacerbate neuronal alpha-synucleinopathy in mouse brain. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36581. [PMID: 22615783 PMCID: PMC3352901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The G2019S mutation in the multidomain protein leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is one of the most frequently identified genetic causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Clinically, LRRK2(G2019S) carriers with PD and idiopathic PD patients have a very similar disease with brainstem and cortical Lewy pathology (α-synucleinopathy) as histopathological hallmarks. Some patients have Tau pathology. Enhanced kinase function of the LRRK2(G2019S) mutant protein is a prime suspect mechanism for carriers to develop PD but observations in LRRK2 knock-out, G2019S knock-in and kinase-dead mutant mice suggest that LRRK2 steady-state abundance of the protein also plays a determining role. One critical question concerning the molecular pathogenesis in LRRK2(G2019S) PD patients is whether α-synuclein (aSN) has a contributory role. To this end we generated mice with high expression of either wildtype or G2019S mutant LRRK2 in brainstem and cortical neurons. High levels of these LRRK2 variants left endogenous aSN and Tau levels unaltered and did not exacerbate or otherwise modify α-synucleinopathy in mice that co-expressed high levels of LRRK2 and aSN in brain neurons. On the contrary, in some lines high LRRK2 levels improved motor skills in the presence and absence of aSN-transgene-induced disease. Therefore, in many neurons high LRRK2 levels are well tolerated and not sufficient to drive or exacerbate neuronal α-synucleinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C. Herzig
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bidinosti
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tatjana Schweizer
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hafner
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine Stemmelen
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Weiss
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Danner
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nella Vidotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Stauffer
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Barske
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Mayer
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Schmid
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Rovelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - P. Herman van der Putten
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Derya R. Shimshek
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Maekawa T, Mori S, Sasaki Y, Miyajima T, Azuma S, Ohta E, Obata F. The I2020T Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 transgenic mouse exhibits impaired locomotive ability accompanied by dopaminergic neuron abnormalities. Mol Neurodegener 2012; 7:15. [PMID: 22534020 PMCID: PMC3467184 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-7-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is the gene responsible for autosomal-dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD), PARK8, but the mechanism by which LRRK2 mutations cause neuronal dysfunction remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated for the first time a transgenic (TG) mouse strain expressing human LRRK2 with an I2020T mutation in the kinase domain, which had been detected in the patients of the original PARK8 family. Results The TG mouse expressed I2020T LRRK2 in dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and olfactory bulb. In both the beam test and rotarod test, the TG mice exhibited impaired locomotive ability in comparison with their non-transgenic (NTG) littermates. Although there was no obvious loss of DA neurons in either the substantia nigra or striatum, the TG brain showed several neurological abnormalities such as a reduced striatal dopamine content, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus in DA neurons, and an increased degree of microtubule polymerization. Furthermore, the tyrosine hydroxylase-positive primary neurons derived from the TG mouse showed an increased frequency of apoptosis and had neurites with fewer branches and decreased outgrowth in comparison with those derived from the NTG controls. Conclusions The I2020T LRRK2 TG mouse exhibited impaired locomotive ability accompanied by several dopaminergic neuron abnormalities. The TG mouse should provide valuable clues to the etiology of PD caused by the LRRK2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsunori Maekawa
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
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Genetic rat models of Parkinson's disease. PARKINSONS DISEASE 2012; 2012:128356. [PMID: 22550609 PMCID: PMC3328158 DOI: 10.1155/2012/128356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific loss of dopaminergic neurons. Although the vast majority of PD cases are idiopathic in nature, there is a subset that contains genetic links. Of the genes that have been linked to PD, α-synuclein and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 have been used to develop transgenic rat models of the disease. In this paper we focused on the various transgenic rat models of PD in terms of their ability to mimic key symptoms of PD in a progressive manner. In general, we found that most of these models provided useful tools for the early stages of PD, but the development of new transgenic rats that present significant neuropathologic and motoric deficits in a progressive manner that more accurately mimics PD is needed.
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46
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Kramer T, Lo Monte F, Göring S, Okala Amombo GM, Schmidt B. Small molecule kinase inhibitors for LRRK2 and their application to Parkinson's disease models. ACS Chem Neurosci 2012; 3:151-60. [PMID: 22860184 PMCID: PMC3369800 DOI: 10.1021/cn200117j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. Several single gene mutations have been linked to this disease. Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) indicate LRRK2 as promising therapeutic target for the treatment of PD. LRRK2 mutations were observed in sporadic as well as familial PD patients and have been investigated intensively. LRRK2 is a large and complex protein, with multiple enzymatic and protein-interaction domains, each of which is effected by mutations. The most common mutation in PD patients is G2019S. Several LRRK2 inhibitors have been reported already, although the crystal structure of LRRK2 has not yet been determined. This review provides a summary of known LRRK2 inhibitors and will discuss recent in vitro and in vivo results of these inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Göring
- Clemens Schöpf - Institute
of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ghislaine Marlyse Okala Amombo
- Clemens Schöpf - Institute
of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Boris Schmidt
- Clemens Schöpf - Institute
of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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47
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Abstract
Animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been widely used in the past four decades to investigate the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this neurodegenerative disorder. These models have been classically based on the systemic or local (intracerebral) administration of neutoxins that are able to replicate most of the pathological and phenotypic features of PD in mammals (i.e. rodents or primates). In the last decade, the advent of the 'genetic era' of PD has provided a phenomenal enrichment of the research possibilities in this field, with the development of various mammalian (mice and, more recently, rats) and non-mammalian transgenic models that replicate most of the disease-causing mutations identified for monogenic forms of familial PD. Both toxic and transgenic classes of animal PD models have their own specificities and limitations, which must be carefully taken into consideration when choosing the model to be used. If a substantial and reproducible nigrostriatal lesion is required (e.g. for testing therapeutic interventions aimed at counteracting PD-related cell death), a classic toxic model such as one based on the administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine or 6-hydroxydopamine will adequately serve the purpose. On the other hand, if selected molecular mechanisms of PD pathogenesis must be investigated, transgenic models will offer invaluable insights. Therefore, until the 'perfect' model is developed, indications to use one model or another will depend on the specific objectives that are being pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Blandini
- Interdepartmental Research Center for Parkinson's Disease, IRCCS National Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy.
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48
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Drolet RE, Sanders JM, Kern JT. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) cellular biology: a review of recent advances in identifying physiological substrates and cellular functions. J Neurogenet 2011; 25:140-51. [PMID: 22077787 DOI: 10.3109/01677063.2011.627072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common forms of inheritable Parkinson's disease and likely play a role in sporadic disease as well. LRRK2 is a large multidomain protein containing two key groups, a Ras-like GTP binding domain and a serine, threonine kinase domain. Mutations in the LRRK2 gene that associate with Parkinson's disease reside primarily within the two functional domains of the protein, suggesting that LRRK2 function is critical to the pathogenesis of the disease. The most common LRRK2 mutation increases kinase activity, making LRRK2 kinase inhibition an attractive target for small molecule drug development. However, the physiological function of LRRK2 kinase as well as its endogenous protein substrates remains poorly understood and has hindered drug development efforts. Recent advances in LRRK2 biology have revealed several potential cellular roles, interacting proteins, and putative physiological substrates. Together, a picture emerges of a complex multifunctional protein that exists in multiple cellular compartments. Through unclear mechanisms, LRRK2 kinase regulates cytoskeleton architecture through control of protein translation, phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins, and response to cellular stressors. This article will briefly cover some interesting recent studies in LRRK2 cellular biology and highlight emerging cellular models of LRRK2 kinase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Drolet
- Department of Neurosymptomatic Disorders, Department of Chemistry, Modeling, and Informatics, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
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