Exhaustion of mitochondrial and autophagic reserve may contribute to the development of LRRK2 G2019S -Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Background Mutations in leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of familial Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mitochondrial and autophagic dysfunction has been described as etiologic factors in different experimental models of PD. We aimed to study the role of mitochondria and autophagy in LRRK2 G2019S -mutation, and its relationship with the presence of PD-symptoms. Methods Fibroblasts from six non-manifesting LRRK2 G2019S -carriers (NM-LRRK2 G2019S ) and seven patients with LRRK2 G2019S -associated PD (PD-LRRK2 G2019S ) were compared to eight healthy controls (C). An exhaustive assessment of mitochondrial performance and autophagy was performed after 24-h exposure to standard (glucose) or mitochondrial-challenging environment (galactose), where mitochondrial and autophagy impairment may be heightened. Results A similar mitochondrial phenotype of NM-LRRK2 G2019S and controls, except for an early mitochondrial depolarization (54.14% increased, p = 0.04), was shown in glucose. In response to galactose, mitochondrial dynamics of NM-LRRK2 G2019S improved (− 17.54% circularity, p = 0.002 and + 42.53% form factor, p = 0.051), probably to maintain ATP levels over controls. A compromised bioenergetic function was suggested in PD-LRRK2 G2019S when compared to controls in glucose media. An inefficient response to galactose and worsened mitochondrial dynamics (− 37.7% mitochondrial elongation, p = 0.053) was shown, leading to increased oxidative stress. Autophagy initiation (SQTSM/P62) was upregulated in NM-LRRK2 G2019S when compared to controls (glucose + 118.4%, p = 0.014; galactose + 114.44%, p = 0.009,) and autophagosome formation increased in glucose media. Despite of elevated SQSTM1/P62 levels of PD-NM G2019S when compared to controls (glucose + 226.14%, p = 0.04; galactose + 78.5%, p = 0.02), autophagosome formation was deficient in PD-LRRK2 G2019S when compared to NM-LRRK2 G2019S (− 71.26%, p = 0.022). Conclusions Enhanced mitochondrial performance of NM-LRRK2 G2019S in mitochondrial-challenging conditions and upregulation of autophagy suggests that an exhaustion of mitochondrial bioenergetic and autophagic reserve, may contribute to the development of PD in LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers.