Retromer is a protein assembly that plays a central role in orchestrating export of transmembrane-spanning cargo proteins from endosomes into retrieval pathways destined for the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane [1]. Recently, a specific mutation in the retromer component VPS35, VPS35(D620N), has linked retromer dysfunction to familial autosomal dominant and sporadic Parkinson disease [2, 3]. However, the effect of this mutation on retromer function remains poorly characterized. Here we established that in cells expressing VPS35(D620N) there is a perturbation in endosome-to-TGN transport but not endosome-to-plasma membrane recycling, which we confirm in patient cells harboring the VPS35(D620N) mutation. Through comparative stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based analysis of wild-type VPS35 versus the VPS35(D620N) mutant interactomes, we establish that the major defect of the D620N mutation lies in the association to the actin-nucleating Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and SCAR homolog (WASH) complex. Moreover, using isothermal calorimetry, we establish that the primary defect of the VPS35(D620N) mutant is a 2.2 ± 0.5-fold decrease in affinity for the WASH complex component FAM21. These data define the primary molecular defect in retromer assembly that arises from the VPS35(D620N) mutation and, by revealing functional effects on retromer-mediated endosome-to-TGN transport, provide new insight into retromer deregulation in Parkinson disease.

Background: VPS35 is part of the retromer complex and is responsible for the trafficking and recycling of proteins implicated in autophagy and lysosomal degradation, but also takes part in the degradation of mitochondrial proteins via mitochondria‐derived vesicles. The p.D620N mutation of VPS35 causes an autosomal‐dominant form of Parkinson's disease (PD), clinically representing typical PD.Objective: Most of the studies on p.D620N VPS35 were performed on human tumor cell lines, rodent models overexpressing mutant VPS35, or in patient‐derived fibroblasts. Here, based on identified target proteins, we investigated the implication of mutant VPS35 in autophagy, lysosomal degradation, and mitochondrial function in induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons from a patient harboring the p.D620N mutation.Methods: We reprogrammed fibroblasts from a PD patient carrying the p.D620N mutation in the VPS35 gene and from two healthy donors in induced pluripotent stem cells. These were subsequently differentiated into neuronal precursor cells to finally generate midbrain dopaminergic neurons.Results: We observed a decreased autophagic flux and lysosomal mass associated with an accumulation of α‐synuclein in patient‐derived neurons compared to controls. Moreover, patient‐derived neurons presented a mitochondrial dysfunction with decreased membrane potential, impaired mitochondrial respiration, and increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with a defect in mitochondrial quality control via mitophagy.Conclusion: We describe for the first time the impact of the p.D620N VPS35 mutation on autophago‐lysosome pathway and mitochondrial function in stem cell‐derived neurons from an affected p.D620N carrier and define neuronal phenotypes for future pharmacological interventions. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Macroautophagy/autophagy cytoplasmic quality control pathways are required during neural development and are critical for the maintenance of functional neuronal populations in the adult brain. Robust evidence now exists that declining neuronal autophagy pathways contribute to human neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson disease (PD). Reliable and relevant human neuronal model systems are therefore needed to understand the biology of disease-vulnerable neural populations, to decipher the underlying causes of neurodegenerative disease, and to develop assays to test therapeutic interventions in vitro. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) neural model systems can meet this demand: they provide a renewable source of material for differentiation into regional neuronal sub-types for functional assays; they can be expanded to provide a platform for screening, and they can potentially be optimized for transplantation/neurorestorative therapy. So far, however, hiPSC differentiation protocols for the generation of ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDANs) – the predominant neuronal sub-type afflicted in PD – have been somewhat restricted by poor efficiency and/or suitability for functional and/or imaging-based in vitro assays. Here, we describe a reliable, monolayer differentiation protocol for the rapid and reproducible production of high numbers of mDANs from hiPSC in a format that is amenable for autophagy/mitophagy research. We characterize these cells with respect to neuronal differentiation and macroautophagy capability and describe qualitative and quantitative assays for the study of autophagy and mitophagy in these important cells. Abbreviations: AA: ascorbic acid; ATG: autophagy-related; BDNF: brain derived neurotrophic factor; CCCP: carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone; dbcAMP: dibutyryl cAMP; DAN: dopaminergic neuron; DAPI: 4ʹ,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DAPT: N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-sphenylglycine; DLG4/PSD95: discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 4; DMEM: Dulbecco’s modified eagle’s medium; EB: embryoid body; ECAR: extracellular acidification rate; EGF: epidermal growth factor; FACS: fluorescence-activated cell sorting; FCCP: arbonyl cyanide p-triflouromethoxyphenylhydrazone; FGF: fibroblast growth factor; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GDNF: glia cell derived neurotrophic factor; hiPSC: human induced pluripotent stem cell; LAMP2A: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A; LT-R: LysoTracker Red; MAP1LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; mDAN: midbrain dopaminergic neuron; MEF: mouse embryonic fibroblast; MT-GR: MitoTracker Green; MT-R: MitoTracker Red; NAS2: normal SNCA2; NEM: neuroprogenitor expansion media; NR4A2/NURR1: nuclear receptor subfamily group A member 2; OA: oligomycin and antimycin A; OCR: oxygen consumption rate; PD: Parkinson disease; SHH: sonic hedgehog signaling molecule; SNCA/α-synuclein: synuclein alpha; TH: tyrosine hydroxylase; VTN: vitronectin.