Models of LRRK2-Associated Parkinson's Disease.

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common genetic causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) and also one of the strongest genetic risk factors in sporadic PD. The LRRK2 protein contains a GTPase and a kinase domain and several protein-protein interaction domains. Both in vitro and in vivo assays in different model systems have provided tremendous insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying LRRK2-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Among all the model systems, animal models are crucial tools to study the pathogenesis of human disease. How do the animal models recapitulate LRRK2-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss in human PD? To answer this question, this review focuses on the discussion of the animal models of LRRK2-associated PD including genetic- and viral-based models.