title: LRRK2 and Parkinson disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the molecular genetics and functional biology of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) in parkinsonism and to summarize the opportunities and challenges to develop interventions for Parkinson disease (PD) based on this genetic insight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Publications cited are focused on LRRK2 biology between 2004 and March 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature selected was based on original contributions, seminal observations, and thoughtful reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unless stated otherwise, data was primarily abstracted from peer-reviewed literature appearing on PubMed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genetic mutations that predispose PD are diagnostically useful in early or atypical presentations. The molecular pathways identified suggest therapeutic interventions for Lrrk2 and idiopathic PD and the rationale and opportunity to develop physiologically relevant biomarkers and experimental models with which to test them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both affected and asymptomatic LRRK2 carriers now provide the opportunity to define the natural history of PD. This includes the frequency, penetrance, and rate of motor symptoms, nonmotor comorbidities, and their associated biomarkers.
authors.affiliation: Laboratories of Neurogenetics, Department of Neuroscience, Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease Research Center of Excellence, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA.
authors.forename: Justus C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dächsel
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Farrer
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; C495280:LRRK2 protein, human; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases