Regulation of myeloid cell phagocytosis by LRRK2 via WAVE2 complex stabilization is altered in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Significance Determining the role for LRRK2, the most common Parkinson’s disease (PD) gene in neurons has been a challenge for the field. Combining interaction data from an unbiased screen in flies and a conserved physical relationship, we show that LRRK2 binds and phosphorylates the actin remodeling protein WAVE2 specifically in myeloid cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this relationship is important for WAVE2 stability and the dynamics of the phagocytic response. Finally, we provide evidence that in both mammalian cocultures, flies, and a murine model of PD that LRRK2s action on WAVE2 may be important for neuronal survival. This work supports the role for LRRK2 in immune-signaling and the role for the immune system in the pathogenesis and progression of PD.