Prokaryotic overexpression of TEV–rhGH and characterization of its polyclonal antibody

Recombinant protein technology represents one of the best solutions to achieve rapid, efficient, and cost-effective protein expression and purification of therapeutic proteins. Growth hormone (GH) is an excellent example of these proteins used in the therapy of hormone deficiencies. In this work, a plasmid, pRSET–TEV–rhGH, has been constructed to overexpress recombinant human GH (rhGH) by cloning its gene downstream of an N-terminal 6 × His-tagged polypeptide (43 aa) in the T7 promoter-plasmid pRSET. This polypeptide was cleavable by means of the integrated recognition site for the tobaccos etch virus (TEV) protease, resulting in an rhGH protein at an exact length and sequence. After IPTG induction, this plasmid effectively expressed TEV–rhGH protein (27 kDa) in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli, which accumulated in the form of inclusion bodies. The 6 × His-tagged protein, with a yield of ~ 150 mg/L of culture, was purified from the cell extract using metal affinity chromatography, as shown after SDS-PAGE blue staining, and was confirmed by immunoblotting using specific commercial monoclonal antibodies. In order to detect TEV–rhGH, in ELISA and immunoblotting, specific polyclonal antibody, with high titer (~ 10^− 5 fold dilution), was produced in a rabbit and purified using affinity chromatography. Preliminary tests have proved that TEV–rhGH protein and its specific purified IgG antibody could provide valuable tools for rhGH productive and diagnostic purposes.     

Assaying the Kinase Activity of LRRK2 in vitro

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a 2527 amino acid member of the ROCO family of proteins, possessing a complex, multidomain structure including a GTPase domain (termed ROC, for Ras of Complex proteins) and a kinase domain¹. The discovery in 2004 of mutations in LRRK2 that cause Parkinson''s disease (PD) resulted in LRRK2 being the focus of a huge volume of research into its normal function and how the protein goes awry in the disease state^2,3. Initial investigations into the function of LRRK2 focused on its enzymatic activities^4-6. Although a clear picture has yet to emerge of a consistent alteration in these due to mutations, data from a number of groups has highlighted the importance of the kinase activity of LRRK2 in cell death linked to mutations^7,8. Recent publications have reported inhibitors targeting the kinase activity of LRRK2, providing a key experimental tool^9-11. In light of these data, it is likely that the enzymatic properties of LRRK2 afford us an important window into the biology of this protein, although whether they are potential drug targets for Parkinson''s is open to debate.A number of different approaches have been used to assay the kinase activity of LRRK2. Initially, assays were carried out using epitope tagged protein overexpressed in mammalian cell lines and immunoprecipitated, with the assays carried out using this protein immobilised on agarose beads^4,5,7. Subsequently, purified recombinant fragments of LRRK2 in solution have also been used, for example a GST tagged fragment purified from insect cells containing residues 970 to 2527 of LRRK2¹². Recently, Daniëls et al. reported the isolation of full length LRRK2 in solution from human embryonic kidney cells, however this protein is not widely available¹³. In contrast, the GST fusion truncated form of LRRK2 is commercially available (from Invitrogen, see table 1 for details), and provides a convenient tool for demonstrating an assay for LRRK2 kinase activity. Several different outputs for LRRK2 kinase activity have been reported. Autophosphorylation of LRRK2 itself, phosphorylation of Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) as a generic kinase substrate and phosphorylation of an artificial substrate - dubbed LRRKtide, based upon phosphorylation of threonine 558 in Moesin - have all been used, as have a series of putative physiological substrates including α-synuclein, Moesin and 4-EBP^14-17. The status of these proteins as substrates for LRRK2 remains unclear, and as such the protocol described below will focus on using MBP as a generic substrate, noting the utility of this system to assay LRRK2 kinase activity directed against a range of potential substrates.     

Characterization of Oncorhynchus mykiss 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase/transthyretin superfamily: Evolutionary and functional analyses

Teleosts have highly diverged genomes that resulted from whole genome duplication, which leads to an extensive diversity of paralogous genes. Transthyretin (TTR), an extracellular thyroid hormone (TH) binding protein, is thought to have evolved from an ancestral 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase (HIUHase) by gene duplication at some stage of chordate evolution. To characterize the functions of proteins that arose from duplicated genes in teleosts, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship of teleost HIUHase and TTR aa sequences, the expression levels of Oncorhynchus mykiss HIUHase and TTR mRNA in various tissues and the biological activities of the O. mykiss re-HIUHase and re-TTR. Phylogenetic analysis of the teleost aa sequences revealed the presence of two HIUHase subfamilies, HIUHase 1 (which has an N-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal-2 [PTS2]) and HIUHase 2 (which does not have an N-terminal PTS2), and one TTR family. The tissue distributions of HIUHase 1 and TTR mRNA were similar in juvenile O. mykiss and the mRNA levels were highest in the liver. The O. mykiss re-HIUHase and re-TTR proteins were both 40–50 kDa homotetramers consisting of 14–15 kDa subunits, with 30% identity. HIUHase had 5-hydroxyisourate (5-HIU) hydrolysis activity with Zn^2 + sensitivity, whereas TTR had ligand binding activity with a preference for THs and several environmental chemicals, such as halogenated phenols. Our results suggest that O. mykiss HIUHase and TTR have diverged from a common ancestral HIHUase with no functional complementation.     

Characterization of vegetative storage protein (VSP) and low molecular proteins induced by water deficit in stolon of white clover

In stolon of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), the 17.3 kDa protein has been newly identified as a vegetative storage protein (VSP) which has preponderant roles in N accumulation and mobilization to sustain growth when capacity of N uptake is strongly reduced. To characterize the water deficit effect on this protein, the kinetic pattern of soluble protein, SDS–PAGE, Western blotting, and proteomic analysis was studied in the stolon of white clover during 28 days of water-deficit. Water deficit led to decrease protein concentration. SDS–PAGE revealed that two major proteins of 17.3 and 16 kDa were accumulated to high level in response to water stress. These proteins cross-reacted positively with antibodies raised against the 17.3 kDa VSP, a protein which shared biochemical features with stress proteins implied in dehydration tolerance. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gel and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis, it was demonstrated that 19.5 and 17.3 kDa protein spots were up-regulated by water stress, and both spots were identical to nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs), respectively. These results suggest that low molecular proteins induced by water-deficit in the stolon of white clover act as an alternative N reserves or play significant roles in plant protection against water-deficit stress.     

Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Binds to Neuronal Vesicles through Protein Interactions Mediated by Its C-Terminal WD40 Domain

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 gene (LRRK2) are associated with familial and sporadic Parkinson''s disease (PD). LRRK2 is a complex protein that consists of multiple domains, including predicted C-terminal WD40 repeats. In this study, we analyzed functional and molecular features conferred by the WD40 domain. Electron microscopic analysis of the purified LRRK2 C-terminal domain revealed doughnut-shaped particles, providing experimental evidence for its WD40 fold. We demonstrate that LRRK2 WD40 binds and sequesters synaptic vesicles via interaction with vesicle-associated proteins. In fact, a domain-based pulldown approach combined with mass spectrometric analysis identified LRRK2 as being part of a highly specific protein network involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking. In addition, we found that a C-terminal sequence variant associated with an increased risk of developing PD, G2385R, correlates with a reduced binding affinity of LRRK2 WD40 to synaptic vesicles. Our data demonstrate a critical role of the WD40 domain within LRRK2 function.     

GTPase Activity Plays a Key Role in the Pathobiology of LRRK2

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are associated with late-onset, autosomal-dominant, familial Parkinson''s disease (PD) and also contribute to sporadic disease. The LRRK2 gene encodes a large protein with multiple domains, including functional Roc GTPase and protein kinase domains. Mutations in LRRK2 most likely cause disease through a toxic gain-of-function mechanism. The expression of human LRRK2 variants in cultured primary neurons induces toxicity that is dependent on intact GTP binding or kinase activities. However, the mechanism(s) underlying LRRK2-induced neuronal toxicity is poorly understood, and the contribution of GTPase and/or kinase activity to LRRK2 pathobiology is not well defined. To explore the pathobiology of LRRK2, we have developed a model of LRRK2 cytotoxicity in the baker''s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Protein domain analysis in this model reveals that expression of GTPase domain-containing fragments of human LRRK2 are toxic. LRRK2 toxicity in yeast can be modulated by altering GTPase activity and is closely associated with defects in endocytic vesicular trafficking and autophagy. These truncated LRRK2 variants induce similar toxicity in both yeast and primary neuronal models and cause similar vesicular defects in yeast as full-length LRRK2 causes in primary neurons. The toxicity induced by truncated LRRK2 variants in yeast acts through a mechanism distinct from toxicity induced by human α-synuclein. A genome-wide genetic screen identified modifiers of LRRK2-induced toxicity in yeast including components of vesicular trafficking pathways, which can also modulate the trafficking defects caused by expression of truncated LRRK2 variants. Our results provide insight into the basic pathobiology of LRRK2 and suggest that the GTPase domain may contribute to the toxicity of LRRK2. These findings may guide future therapeutic strategies aimed at attenuating LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration.     

Sequences Located within the N-Terminus of the PD-Linked LRRK2 Lead to Increased Aggregation and Attenuation of 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Cell Death

Clinical symptoms of Parkinson''s disease (PD) arise from the loss of substantia nigra neurons resulting in bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Intracellular protein aggregates are a pathological hallmark of PD, but whether aggregates contribute to disease progression or represent a protective mechanism remains unknown. Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene have been linked to PD in both familial cases and idiopathic cases and aggregates of the LRRK2 protein are present in postmortem PD brain samples. To determine whether LRRK2 contains a region of protein responsible for self-aggregation, two independent, bioinformatic algorithms were used to identify an N-terminal amino acid sequence as being aggregation-prone. Cells subsequently transfected with a construct containing this domain were found to have significantly increased protein aggregation compared to wild type protein or a construct containing only the last half of the molecule. Finally, in support of the hypothesis that aggregates represent a self-protection strategy, aggregated N-terminal LRRK2 constructs significantly attenuated cell death induced by the PD-mimetic, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).     

The Parkinson's disease protein LRRK2 impairs proteasome substrate clearance without affecting proteasome catalytic activity

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutations are the most common known cause of Parkinson''s disease (PD). The clinical features of LRRK2 PD are indistinguishable from idiopathic PD, with accumulation of α-synuclein and/or tau and/or ubiquitin in intraneuronal aggregates. This suggests that LRRK2 is a key to understanding the aetiology of the disorder. Although loss-of-function does not appear to be the mechanism causing PD in LRRK2 patients, it is not clear how this protein mediates toxicity. In this study, we report that LRRK2 overexpression in cells and in vivo impairs the activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and that this accounts for the accumulation of diverse substrates with LRRK2 overexpression. We show that this is not mediated by large LRRK2 aggregates or sequestration of ubiquitin to the aggregates. Importantly, such abnormalities are not seen with overexpression of the related protein LRRK1. Our data suggest that LRRK2 inhibits the clearance of proteasome substrates upstream of proteasome catalytic activity, favouring the accumulation of proteins and aggregate formation. Thus, we provide a molecular link between LRRK2, the most common known cause of PD, and its previously described phenotype of protein accumulation.     

ARHGEF7 (Beta-PIX) acts as guanine nucleotide exchange factor for leucine-rich repeat kinase 2

Background

Mutations within the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a common cause of familial and sporadic Parkinson''s disease. The multidomain protein LRRK2 exhibits overall low GTPase and kinase activity in vitro.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we show that the rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor ARHGEF7 and the small GTPase CDC42 are interacting with LRRK2 in vitro and in vivo. GTPase activity of full-length LRRK2 increases in the presence of recombinant ARHGEF7. Interestingly, LRRK2 phosphorylates ARHGEF7 in vitro at previously unknown phosphorylation sites. We provide evidence that ARHGEF7 might act as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for LRRK2 and that R1441C mutant LRRK2 with reduced GTP hydrolysis activity also shows reduced binding to ARHGEF7.

Conclusions/Significance

Downstream effects of phosphorylation of ARHGEF7 through LRRK2 could be (i) a feedback control mechanism for LRRK2 activity as well as (ii) an impact of LRRK2 on actin cytoskeleton regulation. A newly identified familial mutation N1437S, localized within the GTPase domain of LRRK2, further underlines the importance of the GTPase domain of LRRK2 in Parkinson''s disease pathogenesis.     

Biochemical characterization of highly purified leucine-rich repeat kinases 1 and 2 demonstrates formation of homodimers

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 1 and 2 (LRRK1 and LRRK2) are large multidomain proteins containing kinase, GTPase and multiple protein-protein interaction domains, but only mutations in LRRK2 are linked to familial Parkinson''s disease (PD). Independent studies suggest that LRRK2 exists in the cell as a complex compatible with the size of a dimer. However, whether this complex is truly a homodimer or a heterologous complex formed by monomeric LRRK2 with other proteins has not been definitively proven due to the limitations in obtaining highly pure proteins suitable for structural characterization. Here, we used stable expression of LRRK1 and LRRK2 in HEK293T cell lines to produce recombinant LRRK1 and LRRK2 proteins of greater than 90% purity. Both purified LRRKs are folded, with a predominantly alpha-helical secondary structure and are capable of binding GTP with similar affinity. Furthermore, recombinant LRRK2 exhibits robust autophosphorylation activity, phosphorylation of model peptides in vitro and ATP binding. In contrast, LRRK1 does not display significant autophosphorylation activity and fails to phosphorylate LRRK2 model substrates, although it does bind ATP. Using these biochemically validated proteins, we show that LRRK1 and LRRK2 are capable of forming homodimers as shown by single-particle transmission electron microscopy and immunogold labeling. These LRRK dimers display an elongated conformation with a mean particle size of 145 Å and 175 Å respectively, which is disrupted by addition of 6M guanidinium chloride. Immunogold staining revealed double-labeled particles also in the pathological LRRK2 mutant G2019S and artificial mutants disrupting GTPase and kinase activities, suggesting that point mutations do not hinder the dimeric conformation. Overall, our findings indicate for the first time that purified and active LRRK1 and LRRK2 can form dimers in their full-length conformation.     

Molecular dynamics simulations to understand LRKK2 mutations in Parkinson

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 contains a Ras of complex proteins (ROC) domain that may acts as a GTPase to regulate its protein kinase activity. Here, we performed 10 ns molecular dynamics simulations on LRRK2 Apo, complex with GDP and mutations (R1441C, R1441G and R1441H). Our results strongly suggest that the formations of helix in L1 and its pliable plays a major role in the LRRK2 functions.     

The importance of the hydrophilic region of PsbL for the plastoquinone electron acceptor complex of Photosystem II

The PsbL protein is a 4.5 kDa subunit at the monomer–monomer interface of Photosystem II (PS II) consisting of a single membrane-spanning domain and a hydrophilic stretch of ~ 15 residues facing the cytosolic (or stromal) side of the photosystem. Deletion of conserved residues in the N-terminal region has been used to investigate the importance of this hydrophilic extension. Using Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, three deletion strains: ?(N6–N8), ?(P11–V12) and ?(E13–N15), have been created. The ?(N6–N8) and ?(P11–V12) strains remained photoautotrophic but were more susceptible to photodamage than the wild type; however, the ?(E13–N15) cells had the most severe phenotype. The Δ(E13–N15) mutant showed decreased photoautotrophic growth, a reduced number of PS II centers, impaired oxygen evolution in the presence of PS II-specific electron acceptors, and was highly susceptible to photodamage. The decay kinetics of chlorophyll a variable fluorescence after a single turnover saturating flash and the sensitivity to low concentrations of PS II-directed herbicides in the Δ(E13–N15) strain indicate that the binding of plastoquinone to the Q_B-binding site had been altered such that the affinity of Q_B is reduced. In addition, the PS II-specific electron acceptor 2,5-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone was found to inhibit electron transfer through the quinone-acceptor complex of the ?(E13–N15) strain. The PsbL Y20A mutant was also investigated and it exhibited increased susceptibility to photodamage and increased herbicide sensitivity. Our data suggest that the N-terminal hydrophilic region of PsbL influences forward electron transfer from Q_A through indirect interactions with the D–E loop of the D1 reaction center protein. Our results further indicate that disruption of interactions between the N-terminal region of PsbL and other PS II subunits or lipids destabilizes PS II dimer formation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: Keys to Produce Clean Energy.     

Development of a high-throughput AlphaScreen assay measuring full-length LRRK2(G2019S) kinase activity using moesin protein substrate

Mutations within the LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) gene predispose humans to develop late-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). The most prevalent of these mutations, G2019S, has been shown to increase LRRK2 kinase activity. Therefore, the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of LRRK2(G2019S) through high-throughput screening (HTS) may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for treating PD. Current biochemical assays monitoring the activity of LRRK2(G2019S) either are radioactive or use short peptidic substrates. Here we describe the development and optimization of a novel HTS AlphaScreen assay for measuring the catalytic activity of full-length LRRK2(G2019S) using its putative physiological protein substrate moesin. The high sensitivity of this optimized 384-well assay allowed the use of enzyme concentrations as low as 0.75 nM. The estimated apparent K_m value for adenosine triphosphate (6 μM) using the glutathione S-transferase-moesin substrate was much lower than the one previously reported using LRRKtide, a synthetic peptide derived from moesin. Testing of nonselective kinase inhibitors (staurosporine, H-1152, and Y-27632) generated potencies consistent with published data. Finally, robotic validation of the assay yielded an average Z′ factor of 0.80. Overall, these results indicate that the present HTS AlphaScreen assay might provide a more relevant biochemical approach for the discovery of novel LRRK2(G2019S) inhibitors.     

The Parkinson's Disease Associated LRRK2 Exhibits Weaker In Vitro Phosphorylation of 4E-BP Compared to Autophosphorylation

Mutations in the gene encoding Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of inherited Parkinson''s disease (PD). LRRK2 is a multi-domain protein kinase containing a central catalytic core and a number of protein-protein interaction domains. An important step forward in the understanding of both the biology and the pathology of LRRK2 would be achieved by identification of its authentic physiological substrates. In the present study we examined phosphorylation of 4E-BP (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein), a recently proposed substrate for LRRKs. We found that LRRK2 is capable of phosphorylating 4E-BP in vitro. The PD related LRRK2-G2019S mutant was ∼2 fold more active than wild type protein. However, LRRK2 autophosphorylation was stronger than 4E-BP phosphorylation under conditions of molar excess of 4E-BP to LRRK2. We also tested three other kinases (STK3, MAPK14/p38α and DAPK2) and found that MAPK14/p38α could efficiently phosphorylate 4E-BP at the same site as LRRK2 in vitro. Finally, we did not see changes in 4E-BP phosphorylation levels using inducible expression of LRRK2 in HEK cell lines. We also found that MAPK14/p38α phosphorylates 4E-BP in transient overexpression experiments whereas LRRK2 did not. We suggest that increased 4E-BP phosphorylation reported in some systems may be related to p38-mediated cell stress rather than direct LRRK2 activity. Overall, our results suggest that 4E-BP is a relatively poor direct substrate for LRRK2.     

LRRK2 enhances oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity via its kinase activity

LRRK2 is an autosomal dominant gene whose mutations cause familial Parkinson's disease (PD). The LRRK2 protein contains a functional kinase and a GTPase domain. PD phenotypes caused by LRRK2 mutations are similar to those of idiopathic PD, implying that LRRK2 is an important participant in PD pathogenesis. Of LRRK2's PD-specific mutations, the G2019S is the most frequently observed one. Its over-expression is known to increase kinase activity and neurotoxicity compared to wild type (WT) LRRK2. Here, using a simple colorimetric cell viability assay, we analyzed LRRK2's neurotoxicity in dopaminergic SN4741 cells following treatment with hydrogen peroxide. When WT, G2019S, or empty vector was expressed in SN4741 cells, cell death was modestly and significantly increased in the order of G2019S > WT > vector. When these transfected cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide to mimic oxidative stress, cellular neurotoxicity was enhanced in the same order (i.e. G2019S > WT > vector). Moreover, incubation of SN4741 cells with conditioned medium from cells expressing G2019S and subjected to hydrogen peroxide treatment exhibited 10-15% more cell death than conditioned medium from cells transfected with vector or WT, suggesting that G2019S-expressing cells secrete a factor(s) affecting viability of neighboring cells. The kinase domain was mapped to be responsible for oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity. In addition, over-expression of WT and G2019S LRRK2 lead to a weak, but significant, increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the order of G2019S > WT as measured by DCFH-DA assay in both the presence and absence of H₂O₂ treatment. Furthermore, in G2019S-expressing cells, co-expression of the anti-oxidant protein DJ-1 or ERK inhibitor treatment restored survival rate to a level similar to that of cells transfected with control vector under H₂O₂ treatment. Taken together, our data suggest that the LRRK2 kinase domain increases the generation of ROS and causes enhanced neurotoxicity under H₂O₂ treatment, which can be at least partially rescued by DJ-1 or the ERK inhibitor.     

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 mutants I2020T and G2019S exhibit altered kinase inhibitor sensitivity

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are a frequent cause of late-onset autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD). Some disease-associated mutations directly affect LRRK2 kinase activity and inhibition of LRRK2 is viewed as a potential therapeutic treatment for PD. We demonstrate by both binding and enzymatic assays that alterations in the kinase activity of the PD-associated mutants I2020T and G2019S are due in part to altered ATP affinity. In binding assays, G2019S and I2020T have approximately 2-fold lower and 6-fold higher ATP affinity, respectively, than wild-type LRRK2. Furthermore, using an in vitro kinase activity assay, we demonstrate that at ATP concentrations close to cellular levels (1 mM) I2020T is approximately 10-fold more resistant to ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors than wild-type whereas G2019S is 1.6-fold more sensitive. These results predict that LRRK2 status may impact kinase inhibitor potencies in vivo or in cellular models.     

Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in the Mammalian Brain Is Not Altered by LRRK2 Expression or Pathogenic Mutations

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a common cause of autosomal dominant familial Parkinson''s disease (PD). LRRK2 encodes a multi-domain protein containing GTPase and kinase enzymatic domains. Disease-associated mutations in LRRK2 variably influence enzymatic activity with the common G2019S variant leading to enhanced kinase activity. Mutant LRRK2 induces neuronal toxicity through a kinase-dependent mechanism suggesting that kinase activity is important for mediating the pathogenic effects of LRRK2 mutations. A number of LRRK2 kinase substrates have been identified in vitro but whether they represent authentic physiological substrates in mammalian cells or tissues is not yet clear. The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein, 4E-BP1, was recently identified as a potential substrate of LRRK2 kinase activity in vitro and in Drosophila with phosphorylation occurring at Thr37 and Thr46. Here, we explore a potential interaction of LRRK2 and 4E-BP1 in mammalian cells and brain. We find that LRRK2 can weakly phosphorylate 4E-BP1 in vitro but LRRK2 overexpression is not able to alter endogenous 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in mammalian cells. In mammalian neurons LRRK2 and 4E-BP1 display minimal co-localization, whereas the subcellular distribution, protein complex formation and covalent post-translational modification of endogenous 4E-BP1 are not altered in the brains of LRRK2 knockout or mutant LRRK2 transgenic mice. In the brain, the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 at Thr37 and Thr46 does not change in LRRK2 knockout or mutant LRRK2 transgenic mice, nor is 4E-BP1 phosphorylation altered in idiopathic or G2019S mutant PD brains. Collectively, our results suggest that 4E-BP1 is neither a major nor robust physiological substrate of LRRK2 in mammalian cells or brain.     

Identification of chemicals to inhibit the kinase activity of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a Parkinson's disease-associated protein

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a late-onset neurodegenerative disease which occurs at more than 1% in populations aging 65-years and over. Recently, leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) has been identified as a causative gene for autosomal dominantly inherited familial PD cases. LRRK2 G2019S which is a prevalent mutant found in familial PD patients with LRRK2 mutations, exhibited kinase activity stronger than that of the wild type, suggesting the LRRK2 kinase inhibitor as a potential PD therapeutics. To develop such therapeutics, we initially screened a small chemical library and selected compound 1, whose IC₅₀ is about 13.2 μM. To develop better inhibitors, we tested five of the compound 1 derivatives and found a slightly better inhibitor, compound 4, whose IC₅₀ is 4.1 μM. The cell-based assay showed that these two chemicals inhibited oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity caused by over-expression of a PD-specific LRRK2 mutant, G2019S. In addition, the structural analysis of compound 4 suggested hydrogen bond interactions between compound 4 and Ala 1950 residue in the backbone of the ATP binding pocket of LRRK2 kinas domain. Therefore, compound 4 may be a promising lead compound to further develop a PD therapeutics based on LRRK2 kinase inhibition.     

Reversible heat inactivation of copper sites precedes thermal unfolding of molluscan (Rapana thomasiana) hemocyanin

Hemocyanin (Hc) is a type-3 copper protein, containing dioxygen-binding active sites consisting of paired copper atoms. In the present study the thermal unfolding of the Hc from the marine mollusc Rapana thomasiana (RtH) has been investigated by combining differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Two important stages in the unfolding pathway of the Hc molecule were discerned. A first event, with nonmeasurable heat absorption, occurring around 60 °C, lowers the binding of dioxygen to the type-3 copper groups. This pretransition is reversible and is ascribed to a slight change in the tertiary structure. In a second stage, with midpoint around 80 °C, the protein irreversibly unfolds with a loss of secondary structure and formation of amorphous aggregates. Experiments with the monomeric structural subunits, RtH1 and RtH2, indicated that the heterogeneity in the process of thermal denaturation can be attributed to the presence of multiple 50 kDa functional units with different stability. In accordance, the irreversible unfolding of a purified functional unit (RtH2-e) occurred at a single transition temperature. At slightly alkaline pH (Tris buffer) the C-terminal β-sheet rich domain of the functional unit starts to unfold before the α-helix-rich N-terminal (copper containing) domain, triggering the collapse of the global protein structure. Even around 90 °C some secondary structure is preserved as shown by the FTIR spectra of all investigated samples, confirming the high thermostability of molluscan Hc.     

Signal transduction protein array analysis links LRRK2 to Ste20 kinases and PKC zeta that modulate neuronal plasticity

Background

Dominant mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson''s disease, however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. Several in vitro studies have shown that the most frequent mutation, LRRK2(G2019S), increases kinase activity and impairs neuronal survival. LRRK2 has been linked to the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase family and the receptor-interacting protein kinases based on sequence similarity within the kinase domain and in vitro substrate phosphorylation.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used an unbiased proteomic approach to identify the kinase signaling pathways wherein LRRK2 may be active. By incubation of protein microarrays containing 260 signal transduction proteins we detected four arrayed Ste20 serine/threonine kinase family members (TAOK3, STK3, STK24, STK25) as novel LRRK2 substrates and LRRK2 interacting proteins, respectively. Moreover, we found that protein kinase C (PKC) zeta binds and phosphorylates LRRK2 both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions/Significance

Ste20 kinases and PKC zeta contribute to neuronal Tau phosphorylation, neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity under physiological conditions. Our data suggest that these kinases may also be involved in synaptic dysfunction and neurite fragmentation in transgenic mice and in human PD patients carrying toxic gain-of-function LRRK2 mutations.