title: Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2): a key player in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, with a prevalence of more than 1% after the age of 65 years. Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) have recently been linked to autosomal dominant, late-onset PD that is clinically indistinguishable from typical, idiopathic disease. LRRK2 is a multidomain protein containing several protein interaction motifs as well as dual enzymatic domains of GTPase and protein kinase activities. Disease-associated mutations are found throughout the multidomain structure of the protein. LRRK2, however, is unique among the PD-causing genes, because a missense mutation, G2019S, is a frequent determinant of not only familial but also sporadic PD. Thus, LRRK2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for combating PD. In this Mini-Review, we look at the current state of knowledge regarding the domain structure, amino acid substitutions, and potential functional roles of LRRK2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4965, USA.
authors.forename: Payal N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Shu G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wilson-Delfosse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D009154:Mutation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C495280:LRRK2 protein, human; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases