Neurodegenerative disease: microRNAs under threat from LRRK2.

摘要

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) cause Parkinsons disease through an unknown molecular mechanism. Lu and colleagues now show that pathogenic forms of LRRK2 inhibit the translational repression of the transcription factors E2F1 and DP -components of a transcriptional regulator complex - through microRNAs (miRNAs), and thereby cause the death of dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster.