Unexpected lack of hypersensitivity in LRRK2 knock-out mice to MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine).
Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common known cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). Whether loss of LRRK2 function accounts for neurodegeneration of dopamine neurons in PD is not known, nor is it known whether LRRK2 kinase activity modulates the susceptibility of dopamine (DA) neurons to the selective dopaminergic toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). To better understand the role of LRRK2 in DA neuronal survival and its role in the susceptibility of DA neurons to MPTP, we generated LRRK2 knock-out (KO) mice lacking the kinase domain of LRRK2. Here, we show that LRRK2 KO mice are viable and have no major abnormalities and live to adulthood. The dopaminergic system is normal in LRRK2 KO mice as assessed via HPLC for DA and its metabolites and via stereologic assessment of DA neuron number in young and aged mice. Importantly, there is no significant difference in the susceptibility of LRRK2 KO and wild-type mice to MPTP. These results suggest that LRRK2 plays little if any role in the development and survival of DA neurons under physiologic conditions. Thus, PD due to LRRK2 mutations are likely not due to a loss of function. Moreover, LRRK2 is not required for the susceptibility of DA neurons to MPTP.
Andres-Mateos
Eva
E
Neuroregeneration Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Mejias
Rebeca
R
Sasaki
Masayuki
M
Li
Xiaojie
X
Lin
Brian M
BM
Biskup
Saskia
S
Zhang
Li
L
Banerjee
Rebecca
R
Thomas
Bobby
B
Yang
Lichuan
L
Liu
Guosheng
G
Beal
M Flint
MF
Huso
David L
DL
Dawson
Ted M
TM
Dawson
Valina L
VL
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; C495279:Lrrk2 protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases