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CalDAG-GEFI acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for LRRK2 to regulate LRRK2 function and neurodegeneration

1 year 3 months ago
Mutations in LRRK2 are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 protein contains two enzymatic domains: a GTPase (Roc-COR) and a kinase domain. Disease-causing mutations are found in both domains. Now, studies have focused largely on LRRK2 kinase activity, while attention to its GTPase function is limited. LRRK2 is a guanine nucleotide-binding protein, but the mechanism of direct regulation of its GTPase activity remains unclear and its physiological GEF is not known....
Qinfang Liu

Hemochromatosis neural archetype reveals iron disruption in motor circuits

1 year 3 months ago
Our understanding of brain iron regulation and its disruption in disease is limited. Excess iron affects motor circuitry, contributing to Parkinson's disease (PD) risk. The molecular mechanisms regulating central iron levels, beyond a few well-known genes controlling peripheral iron, remain unclear. We generated scores based on the archetypal brain iron accumulation observed in magnetic resonance imaging scans of individuals with excessive dietary iron absorption and hemochromatosis risk....
Robert Loughnan