The Parkinson’s disease VPS35[D620N] mutation enhances LRRK2-mediated Rab protein phosphorylation in mice and humans.

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2018

Biochem J 2018 Jun 6;475(11):1861-1883. doi: 10.1042/BCJ20180248.

The Parkinson's disease VPS35[D620N] mutation enhances LRRK2-mediated Rab protein phosphorylation in mouse and human.

R Mir;F Tonelli;P Lis;T Macartney;NK Polinski;TN Martinez;MY Chou;AJM Howden;T König;C Hotzy;I Milenkovic;T Brücke;A Zimprich;E Sammler;DR Alessi

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, U.S.A. Abcam, 863 Mitten Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010, U.S.A. Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K. Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Wien, Austria. Verein zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung im, Wilhelminenspital (FWFW), Montleartstrasse 37, 1160 Wien, Austria. Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Ninewells Drive, Dundee DD1 9SY, U.K.

Service type: Knock-in mice

Abstract

Missense mutations in the LRRK2 (Leucine-rich repeat protein kinase-2) and VPS35 genes result in autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. The VPS35 gene encodes for the cargo-binding component of the retromer complex, while LRRK2 modulates vesicular trafficking by phosphorylating a subgroup of Rab proteins. Pathogenic mutations in LRRK2 increase its kinase activity. It is not known how the only thus far described pathogenic VPS35 mutation, [p.D620N] exerts its effects. We reveal that the VPS35[D620N] knock-in mutation strikingly elevates LRRK2-mediated phosphorylation of Rab8A, Rab10, and Rab12 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The VPS35[D620N] mutation also increases Rab10 phosphorylation in mouse tissues (the lung, kidney, spleen, and brain). Furthermore, LRRK2-mediated Rab10 phosphorylation is increased in neutrophils as well as monocytes isolated from three Parkinson's patients with a heterozygous VPS35[D620N] mutation compared with healthy donors and idiopathic Parkinson's patients. LRRK2-mediated Rab10 phosphorylation is significantly suppressed by knock-out or knock-down of VPS35 in wild-type, LRRK2[R1441C], or VPS35[D620N] cells. Finally, VPS35[D620N] mutation promotes Rab10 phosphorylation more potently than LRRK2 pathogenic mutations. Available data suggest that Parkinson's patients with VPS35[D620N] develop the disease at a younger age than those with LRRK2 mutations. Our observations indicate that VPS35 controls LRRK2 activity and that the VPS35[D620N] mutation results in a gain of function, potentially causing PD through hyperactivation of the LRRK2 kinase. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to elaborate compounds that target the retromer complex to suppress LRRK2 activity. Moreover, patients with VPS35[D620N] associated Parkinson's might benefit from LRRK2 inhibitor treatment that have entered clinical trials in humans.

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