Membrane remodeling properties of the Parkinson's disease protein LRRK2

Abstract

Mutations in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are responsible for late-onset autosomal dominant Parkinsons disease (PD). LRRK2 has been implicated in a wide range of physiological processes including membrane repair in the endolysosomal system. Here, using cell free systems, we report that purified LRRK2 directly binds acidic lipid bilayers with a preference for highly curved bilayers. While this binding is nucleotide independent, LRRK2 can also deform low curvature liposomes into narrow tubules in a guanylnucleotide-dependent but ATP-independent way. Moreover, assembly of LRRK2 into scaffolds at the surface of lipid tubules can constrict them. We suggest that an interplay between the membrane remodeling and signaling properties of LRRK2 may be key to its physiological function. LRRK2, via its kinase activity, may achieve its signaling role at sites where membrane remodeling occurs. Significance StatementLRRK2 is one of the most frequently mutated gene in familial Parkinsons disease. While much has been learned about its molecular properties, upstream regulators and protein substrates of its kinase activity, its precise function remains unclear. Recent evidence has pointed to a role of LRRK2 in membrane repair in the endo/lysosomal system. Here we show that purified LRRK2 has membrane remodeling properties. We suggest that its ability to sense and induce membrane curvature may be key to its function in membrane dynamics. These properties may help coordinate a direct role of LRRK2 at the membrane interface with its the signaling role of its kinase domain.