Worm gene name:  Lrk-1
Worm sequence name:  T 27C10
Related human gene:  LRRK-2 (PARK 8)
Associated human disease:  Parkinson's
People involved in this project: 
Left primer sequence:  cccggatcagttaaaacgaa
Right primer sequence:  gttggaaggagaagctcgtg
Size of PCR product:  810
Brief description:  LRRK2 is a gene identified in familial forms of Parkinson's disease (PD)and may be central to the pathogenesis of several major neurodegenerative disorders associated with PD. A single LRRK2 mutation (G2019S) causes PD in 5% of individuals with familial disease, although there are other disease segregating mutations known. The LRRK2 gene provides instructions for making a protein segment that is rich in leucine—a feature often used in activities that require protein-protein interactions, such as transmitting signals or helping to assemble the cell's cytoskeleton. It also codes for kinase enzyme activity which suggest the proteins assists phosphorylation--the transfer of a phosphate from ATP to amino acids in certain proteins. There is also evidence for a second enzyme activity referred to as a GTPase activity. In worm, Lrk-1 is a homolog to proteins in Dictyostelium discoidium (slime mold)required for normal phosphorylation and cytoskeltal assemby of myosin during chemotaxis
Report any problems that might have appeared and any solutions:  Note that the LRRK-2 mutation is believed to be a toxic gain of function. RNAi in worms (with Lrk-1) has been reported with mixed results.
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