Molecular basis of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and remains incurable. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of this disease, in particular, a distinct set of genes have emerged, whose dysfunctional regulation is strongly associated with the condition. These genes include alpha-synuclein, parkin, PTEN induced Putative Kinase 1 (PINK1), DJ-1, Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) and ATP13A2. Here we discuss what has been learnt in the study of these genes and how these genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease through different molecular pathways, and consider how these pathways might converge to lead to the onset of Parkinson's disease.
Yang
Yan Xiang
YX
Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. y.yang@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Wood
Nicholas W
NW
Latchman
David S
DS
D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D006801:Humans; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D009154:Mutation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000235:genetics; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000235:genetics; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000235:genetics; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase
D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D011494:Protein Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase; C514983:ATP13A2 protein, human; C497604:SNCA protein, human; C111567:parkin protein; C495280:LRRK2 protein, human