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Related Research Questions

How do parkin and PINK1 influence mitochondrial function?
Parkin and PINK1 are two genes implicated in autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease. Parkin is an E3 ligase and a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system involved in protein ... 
Responses: 9
How do we develop "two-hit models?"
I am very interested in ideas that have been discussed around how to develop "two-hit" models for PD.  While genetic models have been demonstrated to be extremely useful for certain ... 
Recent MJFF Awardee Meeting Discussion Topics
We recently held one of our frequent MJFF awardee meetings to hear about progress on a number of projects related to validating interesting new biological targets and research models for PD. As is ... 
Responses: 1
What is the relationship between LRRK2 and synuclein? And Tau?
Mutations in the gene coding for the putative kinase LRRK2 represent some of the most prevalent genetic factors yet linked to Parkinson’s disease, but how these alterations lead to PD-related ... 
Responses: 4
How can oxidative stress contribute to alpha-synuclein pathology/toxicity? What oxidative modifications of alpha-synuclein are relevant to the PD pathogenic process?
There is evidence of oxidative damage in brains of PD patients and anti-oxidant therapies have been explored as disease-modifying therapies for PD. Alpha-synuclein aggregation - in the form of Lewy ... 
Responses: 2
Which LRRK2 kinase substrates identified to date are most likely to be true physiological substrates? What limitations/barriers hinder identification of novel substrates?
Mutations in the gene coding for the putative kinase LRRK2 represent some of the most prevalent genetic factors yet linked to Parkinson’s disease, but how these alterations lead to PD-related ... 
Responses: 9
What do we know about the function of LRRK2 in cellular processes that may shed light on its role in PD pathogenesis? Is LRRK2 kinase activity key to this regulation or do other features/functions of LRRK2 contribute?
Mutations in the gene coding for the putative kinase LRRK2 represent some of the most prevalent genetic factors yet linked to Parkinson's disease, but how these alterations lead to PD-related ... 
Responses: 3
How does the finding of neuron-to-neuron transmission of alpha-synuclein influence standard models of targeting synuclein therapeutically?
Approaches to therapeutic targeting of alpha-synuclein have typically focused on modulating aggregation or reducing expression. However, a recent publication in PNAS reports that alpha-synuclein can ... 
Responses: 1
What are the best tools for detecting and isolating LRRK2 protein?
Mutations in the gene coding for the putative kinase LRRK2 represent some of the most prevalent genetic factors yet linked to Parkinson’s disease, but tools for studying LRRK2 are limited. In ... 
Responses: 4