Activating mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are present in a subset of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Here we report a 2-anilino-4-methylamino-5-chloropyrrolopyrimidine, JH-II-127 (18), as a potent and selective inhibitor of both wild-type and G2019S mutant LRRK2. Compound 18 substantially inhibits Ser910 and Ser935 phosphorylation of both wild-type LRRK2 and G2019S mutant at a concentration of 0.1–0.3 μM in a variety of cell types and is capable of inhibiting Ser935 phosphorylation in mouse brain following oral delivery of doses as low as 30 mg/kg.Keywords: leucine-rich repeat kinase 2; LRRK2; Parkinson’s disease; pharmacokinetics

After the discovery of kinase activating mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) as associated with autosomal dominant forms of Parkinson's disease, inhibition of the kinase is being extensively explored as a disease modifying strategy. As signaling properties and substrate(s) of LRRK2 are poorly documented, autophosphorylation has been an important readout for the enzyme's activity. Western blotting using anti-phospho-S910 or S935 LRRK2 antibodies showed effectiveness in demonstrating inhibitory effects of compounds.In this communication we describe two types of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine LRRK2 protein levels and kinase activity. Both assays take advantage of the sensitivity of the earlier described total and pS935 antibodies for detection (Nichols et al., Biochem. J. 2010) [10]. The first assay is based on anti-GFP-based capturing of overexpressed LRRK2 and is highly suitable to show cellular effects of kinase inhibitors in a 96-well format. In the other platform anti-LRRK2-based capturing allows detection of endogenously expressed LRRK2 in rat tissue with no significant signal in tissue from LRRK2 knockout rats. Furthermore, both assays showed a significant reduction in pS935 levels on cellular and transgenic R1441C/G LRRK2. With the anti-LRRK2 ELISA we were able to detect LRRK2 phosphorylation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).To conclude, we report two sensitive assays to monitor LRRK2 expression and kinase activity in samples coming from cellular and in vivo experimental settings. Both can show their value in drug screening and biomarker development but will also be useful in the elucidation of LRRK2-mediated signaling pathways.Graphical abstractGeneral outline and example of two ELISAs to study expression and activity of overexpressed GFP-LRRK2 (A, B) and endogenous LRRK2 (C, D). In panel (B), the effect of indicated concentrations of a LRRK2 inhibitor on relative S935 phosphorylation is measured by ELISA (A) while in (D) this is determined in rodent tissue by using the assay indicated in (C).Highlights► We established two LRRK2 ELISA's. ► Serine 935 phosphorylation is used as readout for LRRK2 activity. ► One assay can be used to screen for cellular active LRRK2 inhibitors. ► We present an ELISA to measure in vivo pS935 LRRK2 levels. ► With this assay we demonstrate in vivo efficacy of a LRRK2 inhibitor.

Activating mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are present in a subset of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we report that a 2-anilino-4-methylamino-5-chloropyrimidine, HG-10-102-01 (4), is a potent and selective inhibitor of wild-type LRRK2 and the G2019S mutant. Compound 4 substantially inhibits Ser910 and Ser935 phosphorylation of both wild-type LRRK2 and G2019S mutant at a concentration of 0.1–0.3 μM in cells and is the first compound reported to be capable of inhibiting Ser910 and Ser935 phosphorylation in mouse brain following intraperitoneal delivery of doses as low as 50 mg/kg.Keywords: 2,4-diaminopyrimidine; blood−brain barrier; brain penetrant inhibitor; LRRK2

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is linked to Parkinson’s disease and may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Here we report a 2,4-dianilino-5-chloro-pyrimidine, TAE684, a previously reported inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), is also a potent inhibitor of LRRK2 kinase activity (IC50 of 7.8 nM against wild-type LRRK2, 6.1 nM against the G2019S mutant). TAE684 substantially inhibits Ser910 and Ser935 phosphorylation of both wild-type LRRK2 and G2019S mutant at a concentration of 0.1–0.3 μM in cells and in mouse spleen and kidney, but not in brain, following oral doses of 10 mg/kg.Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is linked to Parkinson’s disease and may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Here we report a 2,4-dianilino-5-chloro-pyrimidine, TAE684, a previously reported inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), is also a potent inhibitor of LRRK2 kinase activity (IC50 of 7.8 nM against wild-type LRRK2, 6.1 nM against the G2019S mutant). TAE684 substantially inhibits Ser910 and Ser935 phosphorylation of both wild-type LRRK2 and G2019S mutant at a concentration of 0.1–0.3 μM in cells and in mouse spleen and kidney, but not in brain, following oral doses of 10 mg/kg.

The kinase NUAK1, which is linked to tumor invasion, promotes cell detachment by activating cytoskeletal motor proteins.

mTORC2 promotes the phosphorylation of AGC kinase substrates at two distinct sites.