Parkinson’s disease-associated ATP13A2/PARK9 functions as a lysosomal H+,K+-ATPase

Abstract Mutations in the human ATP13A2 (PARK9), a lysosomal ATPase, cause Kufor-Rakeb Syndrome, an early-onset form of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we demonstrate that ATP13A2 functions as a lysosomal H + ,K + -ATPase. The K + -dependent ATPase activity and the lysosomal K + -transport activity of ATP13A2 are inhibited by an inhibitor of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase, thapsigargin, and K + -competitive inhibitors of gastric H + ,K + -ATPase, such as vonoprazan and SCH28080. Interestingly, these H + ,K + -ATPase inhibitors cause lysosomal alkalinization and α-synuclein accumulation, which are pathological hallmarks of PD. Furthermore, PD-associated mutants of ATP13A2 show abnormal expression and function. Our results suggest that the H + /K + -transporting function of ATP13A2 contributes to acidification and α-synuclein degradation in lysosomes.