LRRK2 and human disease: a complicated question or a question of complexes?

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Metabolic Labeling of Leucine Rich Repeat Kinases 1 and 2 with Radioactive Phosphate
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Metabolic Labeling of Leucine Rich Repeat Kinases 1 and 2 with Radioactive Phosphate

Published on: September 18, 2013

Patrick A Lewis1, Claudia Manzoni

  • 1Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. patrick.lewis@ucl.ac.uk

Science Signaling
|January 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) protein impacts Parkinson's disease, cancer, and leprosy. New research suggests LRRK2 signaling pathways may also contribute to Crohn's disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is implicated in Parkinson's disease, cancer, and leprosy.
  • LRRK2's function in cellular signaling is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of LRRK2 in cellular signaling pathways.
  • To explore the potential link between LRRK2 and Crohn's disease pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of LRRK2 knockout mouse data.
  • Examination of LRRK2's function as a signaling hub.

Main Results:

  • LRRK2 knockout mouse data suggests a role in signaling pathways relevant to Crohn's disease.
  • LRRK2 acts as a central signaling hub in cellular processes.

Conclusions:

  • LRRK2's multifaceted role as a signaling hub may underlie its association with diverse pathologies.
  • Further research into LRRK2 signaling is warranted for understanding diseases like Crohn's.

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