Mutations in the human leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (Lrrk2) have been identified as the most common cause of familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Knowledge on the protein’s physiological role and associated pathways is, however, yet limited. In this study, the RNAi-mediated depletion of Lrrk2 in vitro was shown to interfere with cytoskeleton-based cellular properties, critically affecting the morphology of NIH3T3 cells and outgrowth ability of developing dopaminergic neurites. Systematic analysis of the Lrrk2 interactome from NIH3T3 cells provided the first description of physiological Lrrk2 protein complex partners on an endogenous level which link Lrrk2 to the molecular interaction network that controls actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Participating in actin-based cellular processes, Lrrk2 might thereby be involved in neuronal functioning and integrity.
«
Mutations in the human leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (Lrrk2) have been identified as the most common cause of familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Knowledge on the protein’s physiological role and associated pathways is, however, yet limited. In this study, the RNAi-mediated depletion of Lrrk2 in vitro was shown to interfere with cytoskeleton-based cellular properties, critically affecting the morphology of NIH3T3 cells and outgrowth ability of developing dopaminergic neurites. Systematic...
»