{
  "id": 6178260,
  "title": "Chemical Genetic Targeting of the LRRK2 GTPase Domain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/chemical-genetic-targeting-of-the-lrrk2-gtpase-domain",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-07T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.03.749217v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The human protein LRRK2 possesses a Roc-COR GTPase domain along with a kinase domain, with the GTPase domain playing a role in intramolecular regulation of kinase output. Researchers explored the possibility of targeting the Roc-COR GTPase domain as an alternative method to reduce LRRK2 kinase activity. By employing a chemical genetic technique, they discovered that sensitizing LRRK2 to existing GTPase inhibitors could decrease LRRK2-mediated phosphorylation of Rab10 in cells, although it did not completely inhibit the activity. This preliminary research establishes a foundation for future endeavors aimed at developing pharmacological inhibitors targeting the LRRK2 GTPase, offering a novel approach for therapies addressing Parkinson's disease driven by LRRK2.",
  "summary": "Genetic variants throughout the multi-domain protein leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common cause of autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease, and the most prevalent Parkinson's-associated LRRK2 variants enhance kinase activity. Hence, the kinase domain has been extensively targeted for therapeutic development. However, clinical progression of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors has been…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}