α-Synuclein aggregation and transmission are enhanced by leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Biol Pharm Bull. 2011;34(7):1078-83. doi: 10.1248/bpb.34.1078.

Abstract

Formation of α-synuclein aggregates is a key step in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis although the etiology remains elusive. α-Synuclein is accumulated in degenerating neurons, leading to the production of filamentous inclusions such as Lewy bodies. However, the in vitro overexpression of α-synuclein alone failed to induce inclusion bodies consisting of phosphorylated α-synuclein. The seeded aggregates-initiated polymerization of α-synuclein and tau has been reported elsewhere. What molecule is an initiator of filamentous inclusions remains to be defined. Here, we report that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)-cotransfection together with α-synuclein enhance the aggregate formation, phosphorylation, release to extracellular media of α-synuclein, and the cell-to-cell transmission into neighboring cells in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In cells transfected with α-synuclein alone, the proteins were distributed in the cytosol and did not form inclusions. On the other hand, the inclusions and phosphorylation of α-synuclein were formed in cells cotransfected with α-synuclein and LRRK2 G2019S mutant together. LRRK2 G2019S-cotransfected PC12 cells also induced the aggregates. Furthermore, the cell-to-cell transmission of α-synuclein and the cell toxicity were also enhanced by either LRRK2 wild type or G2019S mutant, whereas the cell viability was not decreased in cells transfected with α-synuclein alone. These results suggest that overexpression of LRRK2, especially G2019S mutant, whose functions remain unclear, initiate the aggregate formation, release and transmission of α-synuclein, resulting in the propagation of α-synuclein to neighboring cells and reduction of cell viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neuroblastoma / enzymology
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • LRRK2 protein, human
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases