A rat model of progressive nigral neurodegeneration induced by the Parkinson's disease-associated G2019S mutation in LRRK2

J Neurosci. 2011 Jan 19;31(3):907-12. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5092-10.2011.

Abstract

The G2019S mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene is the most common genetic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD), accounting for a significant proportion of both autosomal dominant familial and sporadic PD cases. Our aim in the present study is to generate a mammalian model of mutant G2019S LRRK2 pathogenesis, which reproduces the robust nigral neurodegeneration characteristic of PD. We developed adenoviral vectors to drive neuron-specific expression of full-length wild-type or mutant G2019S human LRRK2 in the nigrostriatal system of adult rats. Wild-type LRRK2 did not induce any significant neuronal loss. In contrast, under the same conditions and levels of expression, G2019S mutant LRRK2 causes a progressive degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons. Our data provide a novel rat model of PD, based on a prevalent genetic cause, that reproduces a cardinal feature of the disease within a rapid time frame suitable for testing of neuroprotective strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Cell Count
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Degeneration / genetics
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • LRRK2 protein, rat
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Dopamine