Pharmacological rescue of impaired mitophagy in Parkinson's disease-related LRRK2 G2019S knock-in mice

Francois Singh, Alan R. Prescott, Philippa Rosewell, Graeme Ball, Alastair D. Reith, Ian G. Ganley (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)
123 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a major and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, yet the biological mechanisms involved in its aetiology are poorly understood. Evidence links this disorder with mitochondrial dysfunction and/or impaired lysosomal degradation – key features of the autophagy of mitochondria, known as mitophagy. Here we investigated the role of LRRK2, a protein kinase frequently mutated in PD, in this process in vivo. Using mitophagy and autophagy reporter mice, bearing either knockout of LRRK2 or expressing the pathogenic kinase-activating G2019S LRRK2 mutation, we found that basal mitophagy was specifically altered in clinically relevant cells and tissues. Our data show that basal mitophagy inversely correlates with LRRK2 kinase activity in vivo. In support of this, use of distinct LRRK2 kinase inhibitors in cells increased basal mitophagy, and a CNS penetrant LRRK2 kinase inhibitor, GSK3357679A, rescued the mitophagy defects observed in LRRK2 G2019S mice. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that pathogenic LRRK2 directly impairs basal mitophagy, a process with strong links to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, and demonstrates that pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 is a rational mitophagy-rescue approach and potential PD therapy
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere67604
Number of pages26
JournaleLife
Volume10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Parkinson's
  • LRRK2
  • mitophagy
  • autophagy
  • kinase inhibitor
  • GSK3357679A

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pharmacological rescue of impaired mitophagy in Parkinson's disease-related LRRK2 G2019S knock-in mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this