Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Rab10 Phosphorylation Detection by LRRK2 Activity Using SDS-PAGE with a Phosphate-binding Tag
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Rab10 Phosphorylation Detection by LRRK2 Activity Using SDS-PAGE with a Phosphate-binding Tag

Published on: December 14, 2017

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Caught in the act: LRRK2 in exosomes

Shijie Wang1, Andrew B West2

  • 1Duke Center for Neurodegeneration and Neurotherapeutics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, U.S.A.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|March 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are linked to Parkinson's disease. LRRK2 protein is found in exosomes, offering potential for disease diagnosis and therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a common genetic cause of late-onset Parkinson's disease (PD).
  • LRRK2 protein plays a role in cellular vesicle trafficking, including endosomal and lysosomal pathways.
  • Extracellular vesicles, specifically exosomes, can package and transport LRRK2 protein outside the cell.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biology of exosome-associated LRRK2.
  • To explore the potential utility of exosome-associated LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease diagnosis, prognosis, and theranosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating LRRK2 protein, exosomes, and Parkinson's disease.
  • Analysis of LRRK2's role in vesicle trafficking and its presence in exosomes.
  • Examination of disease-linked modifications and stability of exosomal LRRK2.

Main Results:

  • LRRK2 protein is packaged into exosomes, which are secreted into biofluids.
  • Exosomal LRRK2 can carry disease-linked post-translational modifications.
  • Exosomal LRRK2 is relatively stable in the extracellular environment.

Conclusions:

  • Exosome-associated LRRK2 represents a promising biomarker for Parkinson's disease.
  • LRRK2 within exosomes may serve diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic roles in LRRK2-linked diseases.
Keywords:
LRRK2Parkinson diseasebiomarkerexosomeneurodegeneration

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