G2019S-LRRK2 transgenic mice have a minimal cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer and human platelet derived growth factor, B polypeptide (PDGFB) promoter/enhancer elements driving expression of a mutated full length human leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2*G2019S) cDNA. Hemizygotes are viable, fertile, and normal in size. The LRRK2 cDNA was modified to harbor the LRRK2*G2019S mutation associated with autosomal dominant, late-onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) originally identified in multiple Spanish families and patients with PD. LRRK2 protein, also known as Dardarin, contains multiple functional domains and may play a role in regulating alpha-synuclein-mediated neuropathology through modulating the intracellular trafficking and accumulation of SNCA protein. G2019S-LRRK2 is expressed throughout the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, and neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. G2019S-LRRK2 is also overexpressed (2.7-fold over endogenous) within tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. These transgenic mice display progressive nigral dopaminergic degeneration, in
addition to reduced complexity of cultured midbrain dopaminergic neurons. They also exhibit enhanced dopamine turnover in the olfactory bulb, as well as autophagic and mitochondrial abnormalities throughout the brain. These mice may be useful for studying PD pathogenesis and neurodegeneration elicited by the dominant toxic effects of mutant LRRK2*G2019S expression.
