title: Linking microtubules to Parkinson's disease: the case of parkin.
abstract: Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic polymers consisting of α/β tubulin dimers and playing a plethora of roles in eukaryotic cells. Looking at neurons, they are key determinants of neuronal polarity, axonal transport and synaptic plasticity. The concept that MT dysfunction can participate in, and perhaps lead to, Parkinson's disease (PD) progression has been suggested by studies using toxin-based and genetic experimental models of the disease. Here, we first learn lessons from MPTP and rotenone as well as from the PD related genes, including SNCA and LRRK2, and then look at old and new evidence regarding the interplay between parkin and MTs. Data from experimental models and human cells point out that parkin regulates MT stability and strengthen the link between MTs and PD paving the way to a viable strategy for the management of the disease.
authors: *Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Graziella
authors: G
authors: Cappelletti
authors: *Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Casagrande
authors: *Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Calogero
authors: *Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Carmelita
authors: C
authors: De Gregorio
authors: †Parkinson Institute, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, I-20125 Milano, Italy.
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Pezzoli
authors: *Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, I-20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Cartelli
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012402:Rotenone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C497604:SNCA protein, human; D014404:Tubulin; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D012402:Rotenone; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C111567:parkin protein; C495280:LRRK2 protein, human; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases