Multimodal Analysis Reveals New Genetic Effectors in Parkinson'S Disease-Related Gene LRRK2 Gly2019Ser Mutation
Abstract BackgroundMutations in the LRRK2 gene, which encodes leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), generate one of the most prevalent monogenic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients with autosomal dominant PD and apparent sporadic PD, who are clinically indistinguishable from those with idiopathic PD, are found to have LRRK2 mutations, particularly the most prevalent variant Gly2019Ser. Nonetheless, potential effectors of Gly2019Ser remain unknown.MethodsWe used the GEO database to undertake and evaluate a multitiered bioinformatic investigation to look into the gene expression implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease. Individual differences in gene expression were then confirmed in whole blood samples collected in the clinic. These genetic factors were also subjected to an interaction analysis and prediction. ResultsIn total, 607 genes in the LRRK2 Gly2019Ser mutation group expressed differently from those in the wild group. The following 10 top hub genes were discovered in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks: CD44, CTGF, THBS1, VEGFA, SPP1, EGF, VCAM1, MMP3, CXCR4, and LOX. The gene expression of CD44, CTGF, THBS1, SPP1, EGF, and LOX was considerably higher in the LRRK2 Gly2019Ser mutant group than in the LRRK2 wild group. Meanwhile, CXCR4 gene expression in the LRRK2 Gly2019Ser mutant group was significantly lower than in the LRRK2 wild group. We then confirmed the expression of the hub genes in LRRK2 Gly2019Ser mutated iPSC-induced DA cells. As a result, the levels of CD44, CTGF, THBS1, VEGFA, SPP1 were positively correlated to the mutation of LRRK2, displayed promising effectors for discriminating the pathogenesis of PD. ConclusionsWe identified CD44, CTGF, THBS1, VEGFA, and SPP1 as the potential genetic effectors responding to the mutation of LRRK2. They could be a promising mechanism for discriminating the PD and potential factors contributing to the disease's development.