LRRK2 regulates synaptogenesis and dopamine receptor activation through modulation of PKA activity

Nat Neurosci. 2014 Mar;17(3):367-76. doi: 10.1038/nn.3636. Epub 2014 Jan 26.

Abstract

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is enriched in the striatal projection neurons (SPNs). We found that LRRK2 negatively regulates protein kinase A (PKA) activity in the SPNs during synaptogenesis and in response to dopamine receptor Drd1 activation. LRRK2 interacted with PKA regulatory subunit IIβ (PKARIIβ). A lack of LRRK2 promoted the synaptic translocation of PKA and increased PKA-mediated phosphorylation of actin-disassembling enzyme cofilin and glutamate receptor GluR1, resulting in abnormal synaptogenesis and transmission in the developing SPNs. Furthermore, PKA-dependent phosphorylation of GluR1 was also aberrantly enhanced in the striatum of young and aged Lrrk2(-/-) mice after treatment with a Drd1 agonist. Notably, a Parkinson's disease-related Lrrk2 R1441C missense mutation that impaired the interaction of LRRK2 with PKARIIβ also induced excessive PKA activity in the SPNs. Our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory role for LRRK2 in PKA signaling and suggest a pathogenic mechanism of SPN dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Corpus Striatum / pathology
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIIbeta Subunit / biosynthesis
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIIbeta Subunit / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Spines / pathology
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / agonists
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1 / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Synapses / pathology
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase RIIbeta Subunit
  • Drd1 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Dopamine D1
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Lrrk2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases