Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) cause late-onset Parkinson's disease indistinguishable from idiopathic disease. The mechanisms whereby missense alterations in the LRRK2 gene initiate neurodegeneration remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that seven of 10 suspected familial-linked mutations result in increased kinase activity. Functional and disease-associated mutations in conserved residues reveal the critical link between intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity and downstream kinase activity. LRRK2 kinase activity requires GTPase activity, whereas GTPase activity functions independently of kinase activity. Both LRRK2 kinase and GTPase activity are required for neurotoxicity and potentiate peroxide-induced cell death, although LRRK2 does not function as a canonical MAP-kinase-kinase-kinase. These results suggest a link between LRRK2 kinase activity and pathogenic mechanisms relating to neurodegeneration, further supporting a gain-of-function role for LRRK2 mutations.
INTRODUCTION Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder that leads to slowness of movement, tremor, rigidity and in the later stages of PD, cognitive impairment. Pathologically PD is characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies and neurites. There is degeneration of neurons throughout the nervous system with the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta leading to the major symptoms of PD. RATIONALE In the brains of PD patients, pathologic α-synuclein seems to spread from cell-to-cell via self-amplification, propagation, and transmission in a stereotypical and topographical pattern among neighboring cells and/or anatomically connected brain regions. The spread or transmission of pathologic α-synuclein is emerging as potentially important driver of PD pathogenesis. The underlying mechanisms and molecular entities responsible for the transmission of pathologic α-synuclein from cell-to-to cell are not known, but the entry of pathologic α-synuclein into neurons is thought to occur, in part through an active clathrin-dependent endocytic process. RESULTS Using recombinant α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (PFF) as a model system to study the transmission of misfolded α-synuclein from neuron to neuron, we screened a library encoding transmembrane proteins for α-synuclein-biotin PFF binding candidates via detection by streptavidin-AP (alkaline phosphatase) staining. Three positive clones were identified that bind α-synuclein PFF and include lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), neurexin 1β and amyloid beta precursor-like protein 1 (APLP1). Of these three transmembrane proteins, LAG3 demonstrated the highest ratio of selectivity for α-synuclein PFF over the α-synuclein monomer. α-Synuclein PFF binds to LAG3 in a saturable manner (Kd = 77 nM), while the α-synuclein monomer does not bind to LAG3. Co-immunoprecipitation also suggests that pathological α-synuclein PFF specifically binds to LAG3. Tau PFF, β-amyloid oligomer and β-amyloid PFF do not bind LAG3 indicating that LAG3 is specific for α-synuclein PFF. The internalization of α-synuclein PFF involves LAG3 since deletion of LAG3 reduces the endocytosis of α-synuclein PFF. LAG3 colocalizes with the endosomal GTPases, Rab5 and Rab7 and co-endocytoses with pathologic α-synuclein. Neuron-to-neuron transmission of pathologic α-synuclein and the accompanying pathology and neurotoxicity is substantially attenuated by deletion of LAG3 or by LAG3 antibodies. The lack of LAG3 also substantially delayed α-synuclein PFF induced loss of dopamine neurons, as well as biochemical and behavioral deficits in vivo. CONCLUSION We discovered that pathologic α-synuclein transmission and toxicity is initiated by binding to LAG3 and that neuron-to-neuron transmission of pathological α-synuclein involves the endocytosis of exogenous α-synuclein PFF by the engagement of LAG3 on neurons. Depletion of LAG3 or antibodies to LAG3 substantially reduce the pathology set in motion by the transmission of pathologic α-...
Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a mitochondrial oxidoreductase, is released into the cytoplasm to induce cell death in response to poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activation. How PARP-1 activation leads to AIF release is not known. Here we identify PAR polymer as a cell death signal that induces release of AIF. PAR polymer induces mitochondrial AIF release and translocation to the nucleus. PAR glycohydrolase, which degrades PAR polymer, prevents PARP-1-dependent AIF release. Cells with reduced levels of AIF are resistant to PARP-1-dependent cell death and PAR polymer cytotoxicity. These results reveal PAR polymer as an AIF-releasing factor that plays important roles in PARP-1-dependent cell death.excitotoxicity ͉ poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase
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