Braak stage 1, 100% of pigmented neurons left
parkinsonconnecting

Gene record

TGFBR2

transforming growth factor beta receptor 2

translation score 0.62, read 2026-10-16; 2 sealed predictions, 0 held; 2 receipts.

Six readers

readerfoundscore
genetics
Open Targets
genetic association 0.24 (overall 0.50)0.24
cell type
Human Protein Atlas
cell type enhanced, including microglia; strongest in lymphatic endothelial cells0.75
chemistry
Open Targets
a small-molecule pocket0.60
trials
ClinicalTrials.gov
no Parkinson's trials on record: an open field1.00
literature
PubMed
1 Parkinson's papers of 1,6660.91
pathways
Reactome
10 pathways; mostly growth signalling0.60
proposal for TGFBR2, translation score 0.62

Knock down and overexpress TGFBR2 in microglia; measure phospho-ERK and phospho-AKT response to GDNF and uptake and clearance of α-synuclein fibrils and NLRP3 inflammasome activation (IL-1β release).

Cell type
microglia
Direction
Both arms: public data does not say which way helps.
Molecular readout
phospho-ERK and phospho-AKT response to GDNF
Functional readout
uptake and clearance of α-synuclein fibrils and NLRP3 inflammasome activation (IL-1β release)
Rule-out
If neither arm moves phospho-ERK by 20% or more against non-targeting and empty-vector controls, across three independent differentiations, the hypothesis is wrong.
Lab request
CRISPRi knockdown and lentiviral overexpression of TGFBR2 in iPSC-derived microglia (iMGL); n = 3 differentiations; readouts: phospho-ERK and phospho-AKT response to GDNF; uptake and clearance of α-synuclein fibrils and NLRP3 inflammasome activation (IL-1β release). Controls: non-targeting guide, empty vector. About 8 to 10 weeks, most of it differentiation.

Sealed predictions

  1. TGFBR2 in dopamine neurons, braak+0.22 (p 0.574) → -0.15 (p 0.697)receipt 0243
  2. TGFBR2 in microglia, braak+0.12 (p 0.749) → -0.01 (p 0.982)receipt 0242

Swarm cases

receipt 0243: TGFBR2 in dopamine neurons, braak

power
full sample +0.06 (p 0.817, n 18), 95% CI -0.42 to +0.51. the interval is wide: not enough donors to tell.
confounder
adjusted for sex: +0.11 (p 0.667, n 18). does not hold up.
composition
dopamine neurons share of nuclei vs axis +0.05 (p 0.854); controlling for it: -0.15 (p 0.555, n 18). could be the mix.
skeptic
leave-one-out range -0.02 to +0.20, sign flips 4; without severely affected donors +0.06 (p 0.817, n 18). fragile.
cell type
no other cell group does better.
axis
no measure beats "tracks Braak Lewy-body stage" for TGFBR2 in dopamine neurons.

case closed: nothing better to follow up.

receipt 0242: TGFBR2 in microglia, braak

power
full sample +0.05 (p 0.840, n 18), 95% CI -0.43 to +0.51. the interval is wide: not enough donors to tell.
confounder
adjusted for sex: +0.04 (p 0.881, n 18). does not hold up.
composition
microglia share of nuclei vs axis -0.11 (p 0.652); controlling for it: +0.09 (p 0.735, n 18). could be the mix.
skeptic
leave-one-out range -0.08 to +0.17, sign flips 3; without severely affected donors +0.05 (p 0.840, n 18). fragile.
cell type
no other cell group does better.
axis
no measure beats "tracks Braak Lewy-body stage" for TGFBR2 in microglia.

case closed: nothing better to follow up.

Receipts

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