ATP13A2 (PARK9) and basal ganglia function

Abstract

ATP13A2 is a lysosomal protein involved in polyamine transport with loss of function mutations associated with multiple neurodegenerative conditions. These include early onset Parkinson's disease, Kufor-Rakeb Syndrome, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. While ATP13A2 mutations may result in clinical heterogeneity, the basal ganglia appear to be impacted in the majority of cases. The basal ganglia is particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial agents which are also established risk factors for many neurodegenerative conditions. Not surprisingly then, impaired function of ATP13A2 has been linked to heavy metal toxicity including manganese, iron, and zinc. This review discusses the role of ATP13A2 in basal ganglia function and dysfunction, potential common pathological mechanisms in ATP13A2-related disorders, and how gene x environment interactions may contribute to basal ganglia dysfunction.

Keywords: Kufor-Rakeb Syndrome; Parkinson’s disease; alpha-synuclein; iron; manganese; mitochondria; neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis; zinc.

Figure 1

ATP13A2 and the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia and related nuclei (striatum, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, thalamus, and substantia nigra) are vulnerable to genetic and environmental factors. Wildtype ATP13A2 is a protein with 10 transmembrane domains localized to the lysosomal membrane and is involved in polyamine transport and homeostasis, alpha-synuclein export, and intracellular heavy metal regulation. Small green and blue dots represent the polyamines spermidine and spermine. Created with BioRender.com.