The kinase LRRK2 is a regulator of the transcription factor NFAT that modulates the severity of inflammatory bowel disease

Liu, Z. et al. Nat. Immunol. doi:10.1038/ni.2113 (9 October).

The gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) has been previously implicated as a susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease, and these authors characterize how LRRK2 deficiency might lead to disease pathogenesis in mice. LRRK2 is a negative regulator of the transcription factor NFAT, which is important for regulating immune responses.