Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects

In humans, variants in the LRRK2 gene are the most prevalent risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Whereas studies in model organisms have long indicated that the orthologs of the wild-type LRRK proteins protect against neurodegeneration, newer findings indicate that they also protect against n...

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Main Authors: An Phu Tran Nguyen, Linh Thi Nhat Nguyen, Bailey A. Stokke, Christopher C. Quinn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1569733/full
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author An Phu Tran Nguyen
Linh Thi Nhat Nguyen
Bailey A. Stokke
Christopher C. Quinn
author_facet An Phu Tran Nguyen
Linh Thi Nhat Nguyen
Bailey A. Stokke
Christopher C. Quinn
author_sort An Phu Tran Nguyen
collection DOAJ
description In humans, variants in the LRRK2 gene are the most prevalent risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Whereas studies in model organisms have long indicated that the orthologs of the wild-type LRRK proteins protect against neurodegeneration, newer findings indicate that they also protect against neurodevelopmental defects. This normal role of the LRRK proteins can be disrupted by either gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) mutations, leading to neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects. Here, we review the roles of the LRRK proteins and their orthologs in these processes, with a focus on autophagy as a common factor that may mediate both of these roles. We also highlight the potential for experiments in vertebrate and invertebrate model systems to synergistically inform our understanding of the role of LRRK proteins in protecting against neurological disorders.
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spelling doaj-art-ab9947ed8ff048c3b8c1a8a92ae98b022025-08-20T01:47:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology2296-634X2025-04-011310.3389/fcell.2025.15697331569733Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defectsAn Phu Tran NguyenLinh Thi Nhat NguyenBailey A. StokkeChristopher C. QuinnIn humans, variants in the LRRK2 gene are the most prevalent risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Whereas studies in model organisms have long indicated that the orthologs of the wild-type LRRK proteins protect against neurodegeneration, newer findings indicate that they also protect against neurodevelopmental defects. This normal role of the LRRK proteins can be disrupted by either gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) mutations, leading to neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects. Here, we review the roles of the LRRK proteins and their orthologs in these processes, with a focus on autophagy as a common factor that may mediate both of these roles. We also highlight the potential for experiments in vertebrate and invertebrate model systems to synergistically inform our understanding of the role of LRRK proteins in protecting against neurological disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1569733/fullLRRK2Parkinson’s diseaseautismintellectual disabilityneurodegeneration
spellingShingle An Phu Tran Nguyen
Linh Thi Nhat Nguyen
Bailey A. Stokke
Christopher C. Quinn
Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
LRRK2
Parkinson’s disease
autism
intellectual disability
neurodegeneration
title Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
title_full Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
title_fullStr Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
title_full_unstemmed Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
title_short Roles of LRRK2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
title_sort roles of lrrk2 and its orthologs in protecting against neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental defects
topic LRRK2
Parkinson’s disease
autism
intellectual disability
neurodegeneration
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2025.1569733/full
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