The LRRK2 G2019S mutant exacerbates basal autophagy through activation of the MEK/ERK pathway

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2013 Jan;70(1):121-36. doi: 10.1007/s00018-012-1061-y. Epub 2012 Jul 8.

Abstract

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are a major cause of familial Parkinsonism, and the G2019S mutation of LRRK2 is one of the most prevalent mutations. The deregulation of autophagic processes in nerve cells is thought to be a possible cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we observed that G2019S mutant fibroblasts exhibited higher autophagic activity levels than control fibroblasts. Elevated levels of autophagic activity can trigger cell death, and in our study, G2019S mutant cells exhibited increased apoptosis hallmarks compared to control cells. LRRK2 is able to induce the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK kinases (MEK). The use of 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-aminophenylthio]butadiene (U0126), a highly selective inhibitor of MEK1/2, reduced the enhanced autophagy and sensibility observed in G2019S LRRK2 mutation cells. These data suggest that the G2019S mutation induces autophagy via MEK/ERK pathway and that the inhibition of this exacerbated autophagy reduces the sensitivity observed in G2019S mutant cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Autophagy / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Macrolides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Macrolides
  • bafilomycin A1
  • LRRK2 protein, human
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Proton-Translocating ATPases