Dynamic and redundant regulation of LRRK2 and LRRK1 expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mutations within the <it>leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 </it>(<it>LRRK2</it>) gene account for a significant proportion of autosomal-dominant and some late-onset sporadic Parkinson's disease. Elucidation of LRRK2 protein function in health and disease provides an opportunity for deciphering molecular pathways important in neurodegeneration. In mammals, LRRK1 and LRRK2 protein comprise a unique family encoding a GTPase domain that controls intrinsic kinase activity. The expression profiles of the murine LRRK proteins have not been fully described and insufficiently characterized antibodies have produced conflicting results in the literature.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Herein, we comprehensively evaluate twenty-one commercially available antibodies to the LRRK2 protein using mouse <it>LRRK2 </it>and human <it>LRRK2 </it>expression vectors, wild-type and <it>LRRK2</it>-null mouse brain lysates and human brain lysates. Eleven antibodies detect over-expressed human LRRK2 while four antibodies detect endogenous human LRRK2. In contrast, two antibodies recognize over-expressed mouse LRRK2 and one antibody detected endogenous mouse LRRK2. LRRK2 protein resides in both soluble and detergent soluble protein fractions. <it>LRRK2 </it>and the related <it>LRRK1 </it>genes encode low levels of expressed mRNA species corresponding to low levels of protein both during development and in adulthood with largely redundant expression profiles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite previously published results, commercially available antibodies generally fail to recognize endogenous mouse LRRK2 protein; however, several antibodies retain the ability to detect over-expressed mouse LRRK2 protein. Over half of the commercially available antibodies tested detect over-expressed human LRRK2 protein and some have sufficient specificity to detect endogenous LRRK2 in human brain. The mammalian LRRK proteins are developmentally regulated in several tissues and coordinated expression suggest possible redundancy in the function between <it>LRRK1 </it>and <it>LRRK2</it>.</p

An evaluation of detection methods for large lariat RNAs

Ty1 elements are long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons that reside within the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has been known for many years that the 2′-5′ phosphodiesterase Dbr1p, which debranches intron lariats, is required for efficient Ty1 transposition. A recent report suggested the intriguing possibility that Ty1 RNA forms a lariat as a transposition intermediate. We set out to further investigate the nature of the proposed Ty1 lariat branchpoint. However, using a wide range of techniques we were unable to find any evidence for the proposed lariat structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that some of the techniques used in the initial study describing the lariat are capable of incorrectly reporting a lariat structure. Thus, the role of the Dbr1 protein in Ty1 retrotransposition remains elusive

Ty1 Mobilizes Subtelomeric Y′ Elements in Telomerase-Negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae Survivors

When telomerase is inactivated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, telomeric DNA shortens with every cell division, and cells stop dividing after ∼100 generations. Survivors that form in these senescent populations and resume growing have variably amplified arrays of subtelomeric Y′ elements. We marked a chromosomal Y′ element with the his3AI retrotransposition indicator gene and found that Y′HIS3 cDNA was incorporated into the genome at ∼10- to 1,000-fold-higher frequencies in survivors compared to telomerase-positive strains. Y′HIS3 cDNA mobility was significantly reduced if assayed at 30°C, a nonpermissive temperature for Ty1 retrotransposition, or in the absence of Tec1p, a transcription factor for Ty1. Microarray analysis revealed that Y′ RNA is preferentially associated with Ty1 virus-like particles (VLPs). Genomic copies of Y′HIS3 cDNA typically have downstream oligo(A) tracts, followed by a complete Ty1 long terminal repeat and TYA1 or TYB1 sequences. These data are consistent with the use of Ty1 cDNA to prime reverse transcription of polyadenylated Y′ RNA within Ty1 VLPs. Unmarked Y′-oligo(A)-Ty1 cDNA was also detected in survivors, reaching copy numbers of ∼10(−2) per genome. We propose that Y′-oligo(A)-Ty1 cDNA recombines with Y′ elements at eroding telomeres in survivors and may play a role in telomere maintenance in the absence of telomerase

GTPase activity plays a key role in the pathobiology of LRRK2.

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with late-onset, autosomal-dominant, familial Parkinson's disease (PD) and also contribute to sporadic disease. The LRRK2 gene encodes a large protein with multiple domains, including functional Roc GTPase and protein kinase domains. Mutations in LRRK2 most likely cause disease through a toxic gain-of-function mechanism. The expression of human LRRK2 variants in cultured primary neurons induces toxicity that is dependent on intact GTP binding or kinase activities. However, the mechanism(s) underlying LRRK2-induced neuronal toxicity is poorly understood, and the contribution of GTPase and/or kinase activity to LRRK2 pathobiology is not well defined. To explore the pathobiology of LRRK2, we have developed a model of LRRK2 cytotoxicity in the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Protein domain analysis in this model reveals that expression of GTPase domain-containing fragments of human LRRK2 are toxic. LRRK2 toxicity in yeast can be modulated by altering GTPase activity and is closely associated with defects in endocytic vesicular trafficking and autophagy. These truncated LRRK2 variants induce similar toxicity in both yeast and primary neuronal models and cause similar vesicular defects in yeast as full-length LRRK2 causes in primary neurons. The toxicity induced by truncated LRRK2 variants in yeast acts through a mechanism distinct from toxicity induced by human alpha-synuclein. A genome-wide genetic screen identified modifiers of LRRK2-induced toxicity in yeast including components of vesicular trafficking pathways, which can also modulate the trafficking defects caused by expression of truncated LRRK2 variants. Our results provide insight into the basic pathobiology of LRRK2 and suggest that the GTPase domain may contribute to the toxicity of LRRK2. These findings may guide future therapeutic strategies aimed at attenuating LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration