Abstract: The present invention provides methods for defining a disease or condition with a wide range of etiologies based on clustering of genes belong to the same biological pathway and observed frequencies or prevalence of various patient factors assessed in a given patient population, including motor and non-motor symptoms, neuropathology, age of onset, genetics, and involvement of peripheral autonomic system, including the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Also disclosed herein are methods and kits for early diagnosis and treatment of subjects for multisystem Lewy body disease (MLBD), including Parkinson's disease, and/or one or more GI conditions that indicate a propensity for MLBD.

Abstract: A method for assessing the effect of a test compound on LRRK2 in a cell-based system, the method comprising the steps of a) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the phosphorylation state of Ser910 and/or Ser935 of the LRRK2; and/or b) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the binding of the LRRK2 to a 14-3-3 polypeptide. The method may comprise or further comprise the step of assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the subcellular location of LRRK2. The method is considered to be useful in assessing the effect of putative LRRK2 inhibitors in cell based systems, including in vivo systems.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound expected to be useful in modulating, for example inhibiting, LRRK2 protein kinase activity, the method comprising the steps of (1) determining whether a test compound modulates, for example inhibits, the protein kinase activity of a LRRK2 polypeptide on a substrate polypeptide and (2) selecting a compound which modulates, for example inhibits, the said LRRK2 polypeptide protein kinase activity, wherein the substrate polypeptide comprises the sequence (W/F/R/K)(W/F/R/K)(R/K)(F/W/H/R)(Y/W/R)(S/T)(L/V/I) (R/K)(R/K)(A/Y) or (W/R)(X)(X)(F/Y/H/T)(Y/W/R)(T)(X)(R/T)(R)(X), where X represents any amino acid. Such a compound may be useful in treating Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism. The substrate polypeptide may consist or comprise the sequence RLGWWRFYTLRRARQGNTKQ.

Abstract: A method for assessing the effect of a test compound on LRRK2 in a cell-based system, the method comprising the steps of a) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the phosphorylation state of Ser910 and/or Ser935 of the LRRK2; and/or b) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the binding of the LRRK2 to a 14-3-3 polypeptide. The method may comprise or further comprise the step of assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the subcellular location of LRRK2. The method is considered to be useful in assessing the effect of putative LRRK2 inhibitors in cell based systems, including in vivo systems.

Abstract: A method for assessing the effect of a test compound on LRRK2 in a cell-based system, the method comprising the steps of a) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the phosphorylation state of Ser910 and/or Ser935 of the LRRK2; and/or b) assessing the effect of exposing the cell-based system comprising LRRK2 to the test compound on the binding of the LRRK2 to a 14-3-3 polypeptide. The method is considered to be useful in assessing the effect of putative LRRK2 inhibitors in cell based systems, including in vivo systems.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound expected to be useful in modulating a LRRK2 protein kinase activity, the method comprising the steps of (1) determining whether a test compound modulates the protein kinase activity of a LRRK2 polypeptide on a substrate Ezrin/Radixin/moesin (ERM) family polypeptide and (2) selecting a compound which modulates the LRRK2 polypeptide protein kinase activity. Such a compound may be useful in treating Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism. A catalytically active fragment of LRRK2 is identified, requiring the GTPase, COR and kinase domains as well as the WD_40-like motif and C-terminal tail.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound expected to be useful in modulating, for example inhibiting, LRRK2 protein kinase activity, the method comprising the steps of (1) determining whether a test compound modulates, for example inhibits, the protein kinase activity of a LRRK2 polypeptide on a substrate polypeptide and (2) selecting a compound which modulates, for example inhibits, the said LRRK2 polypeptide protein kinase activity, wherein the substrate polypeptide comprises the sequence (W/F/R/K)(W/F/R/K)(R/K)(F/W/H/R)(Y/W/R)(S/T)(L/V/I) (R/K)(R/K)(A/Y) or (W/R)(X)(X)(F/Y/H/T)(Y/W/R)(T)(X)(R/T)(R)(X), where X represents any amino acid. Such a compound may be useful in treating Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism. The substrate polypeptide may consist or comprise the sequence RLGWWRFYTLRRARQGNTKQ.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound expected to be useful in modulating a LRRK2 protein kinase activity, the method comprising the steps of (1) determining whether a test compound modulates the protein kinase activity of a LRRK2 polypeptide on a substrate Ezrin/Radixin/moesin (ERM) family polypeptide and (2) selecting a compound which modulates the LRRK2 polypeptide protein kinase activity. Such a compound may be useful in treating Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism. A catalytically active fragment of LRRK2 is identified, requiring the GTPase, COR and kinase domains as well as the WD_40-like motif and C-terminal tail.