Selective expression of Parkinson's disease-related Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 G2019S missense mutation in midbrain dopaminergic neurons impairs dopamine release and dopaminergic gene expression.

Preferential dysfunction/degeneration of midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons contributes to the main movement symptoms manifested in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S missense mutation (LRRK2 G2019S) is the most common causative genetic factor linked to PD, the effects of LRRK2 G2019S on the function and survival of SNpc DA neurons are poorly understood. Using a binary gene expression system, we generated transgenic mice expressing either wild-type human LRRK2 (WT mice) or the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (G2019S mice) selectively in the midbrain DA neurons. Here we show that overexpression of LRRK2 G2019S did not induce overt motor abnormalities or substantial SNpc DA neuron loss. However, the LRRK2 G2019S mutation impaired dopamine homeostasis and release in aged mice. This reduction in dopamine content/release coincided with the degeneration of DA axon terminals and decreased expression of DA neuron-enriched genes tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vesicular monoamine transporter 2, dopamine transporter and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. These factors are responsible for dopamine synthesis, transport and degradation, and their expression is regulated by transcription factor paired-like homeodomain 3 (PITX3). Levels of Pitx3 mRNA and protein were similarly decreased in the SNpc DA neurons of aged G2019S mice. Together, these findings suggest that PITX3-dependent transcription regulation could be one of the many potential mechanisms by which LRRK2 G2019S acts in SNpc DA neurons, resulting in downregulation of its downstream target genes critical for dopamine homeostasis and release.

Liu G ，Sgobio C ，Gu X ，Sun L ，Lin X ，Yu J ，Parisiadou L ，Xie C ，Sastry N ，Ding J ，Lohr KM ，Miller GW ，Mateo Y ，Lovinger DM ，Cai H ... -  《-》

(G2019S) LRRK2 causes early-phase dysfunction of SNpc dopaminergic neurons and impairment of corticostriatal long-term depression in the PD transgenic mouse.

Twelve- to sixteen-month-old (G2019S) LRRK2 transgenic mice prepared by us displayed progressive neuronal death of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic cells. In the present study, we hypothesized that prior to a late-phase death of SNpc dopaminergic neurons, (G2019S) LRRK2 also causes an early-phase neuronal dysfunction of SNpc dopaminergic cells in the (G2019S) LRRK2 mouse. Eight to nine-month-old (G2019S) LRRK2 transgenic mice exhibited the symptom of hypoactivity in the absence of the degeneration of SNpc dopaminergic neurons or nigrostriatal dopaminergic terminals. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings of SNpc dopaminergic cells in brain slices demonstrated a significant decrease in spontaneous firing frequency of SNpc dopaminergic neurons of 8-month-old (G2019S) LRRK2 mice. Carbon fiber electrode amperometry recording using striatal slices showed that (G2019S) LRRK2 transgenic mice at the age of 8 to 9months display an impaired evoked dopamine release in the dorsolateral striatum. Normal nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission is required for the induction of long-term synaptic plasticity expressed at corticostriatal glutamatergic synapses of striatal medium spiny neurons. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings showed that in contrast to medium spiny neurons of 8 to 9-month-old wild-type mice, high-frequency stimulation of corticostriatal afferents failed to induce long-term depression (LTD) of corticostriatal EPSCs in medium spiny neurons of (G2019S) LRRK2 mice at the same age. Our study provides the evidence that mutant (G2019S) LRRK2 causes early-phase dysfunctions of SNpc dopaminergic neurons, including a decrease in spontaneous firing rate and a reduction in evoked dopamine release, and impairment of corticostriatal LTD in the (G2019S) LRRK2 transgenic mouse.

Chou JS ，Chen CY ，Chen YL ，Weng YH ，Yeh TH ，Lu CS ，Chang YM ，Wang HL ... -  《-》

(G2019S) LRRK2 activates MKK4-JNK pathway and causes degeneration of SN dopaminergic neurons in a transgenic mouse model of PD.

Chen CY ，Weng YH ，Chien KY ，Lin KJ ，Yeh TH ，Cheng YP ，Lu CS ，Wang HL ... -  《-》

Temporal expression of mutant LRRK2 in adult rats impairs dopamine reuptake.

Zhou H ，Huang C ，Tong J ，Hong WC ，Liu YJ ，Xia XG ... -  《International Journal of Biological Sciences》

LRRK2-G2019S mice display alterations in glutamatergic synaptic transmission in midbrain dopamine neurons.

The progressive degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) leads to the emergence of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). To propose neuroprotective therapies able to slow or halt the progression of the disease, it is necessary to identify cellular alterations that occur before DA neurons degenerate and before the onset of the motor symptoms that characterize PD. Using electrophysiological, histochemical, and biochemical approaches, we have examined if glutamatergic synaptic transmission in DA neurons in the SNc and in the adjacent ventral tegmental area (VTA) was altered in middle-aged (10-12 months old) mice with the hG2019S point mutation (G2019S) in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene. G2019S mice showed increased locomotion and exploratory behavior compared with wildtype (WT) littermates, and intact DA neuron integrity. The intrinsic membrane properties and action potential characteristics of DA neurons recorded in brain slices were similar in WT and G2019S mice. Initial glutamate release probability onto SNc-DA neurons, but not VTA-DA neurons, was reduced in G2019S mice. We also found reduced protein amounts of the presynaptic marker of glutamatergic terminals, VGLUT1, and of the GluA1 and GluN1 subunits of AMPA and NMDA receptors, respectively, in the ventral midbrain of G2019S mice. These results identify alterations in glutamatergic synaptic transmission in DA neurons of the SNc and VTA before the onset of motor impairments in the LRRK2-G2019S mouse model of PD.

Skiteva O ，Yao N ，Sitzia G ，Chergui K ... -  《-》