Braak stage 1, 100% of pigmented neurons left
parkinsonconnecting

Gene record

MAP4K4

mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4

translation score 0.72, read 2026-10-17; 2 sealed predictions, 0 held; 2 receipts.

Six readers

readerfoundscore
genetics
Open Targets
genetic association 0.57 (overall 0.35)0.57
cell type
Human Protein Atlas
cell type enhanced, including oligodendrocytes; strongest in neutrophils0.75
chemistry
Open Targets
a small-molecule pocket0.60
trials
ClinicalTrials.gov
no Parkinson's trials on record: an open field1.00
literature
PubMed
4 Parkinson's papers of 3330.79
pathways
Reactome
1 pathway; mostly iron and oxidative stress0.80
proposal for MAP4K4, translation score 0.72

Knock down and overexpress MAP4K4 in oligodendrocytes; measure reactive oxygen species (CellROX) and lipid peroxidation and labile iron and α-synuclein uptake and myelin basic protein output under oxidative stress.

Cell type
oligodendrocytes
Direction
Both arms: public data does not say which way helps.
Molecular readout
reactive oxygen species (CellROX) and lipid peroxidation and labile iron
Functional readout
α-synuclein uptake and myelin basic protein output under oxidative stress
Rule-out
If neither arm moves reactive oxygen species (CellROX) 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 MAP4K4 in iPSC-derived oligodendrocytes; n = 3 differentiations; readouts: reactive oxygen species (CellROX) and lipid peroxidation and labile iron; α-synuclein uptake and myelin basic protein output under oxidative stress. Controls: non-targeting guide, empty vector. About 8 to 10 weeks, most of it differentiation.

Sealed predictions

  1. MAP4K4 in oligodendrocytes, braak+0.52 (p 0.148) → -0.16 (p 0.682)receipt 0886
  2. MAP4K4 in dopamine neurons, braak+0.39 (p 0.304) → +0.00 (p 1.000)receipt 0887

Swarm cases

receipt 0887: MAP4K4 in dopamine neurons, braak

power
full sample +0.20 (p 0.418, n 18), 95% CI -0.29 to +0.61. the interval is wide: not enough donors to tell.
confounder
adjusted for sex: +0.20 (p 0.418, n 18). does not hold up.
composition
dopamine neurons share of nuclei vs axis +0.05 (p 0.854); controlling for it: +0.25 (p 0.319, n 18). could be the mix.
skeptic
leave-one-out range +0.10 to +0.32, sign flips 0; without severely affected donors +0.20 (p 0.418, n 18). fragile.
cell type
no other cell group does better.
axis
no measure beats "tracks Braak Lewy-body stage" for MAP4K4 in dopamine neurons.

case closed: nothing better to follow up.

receipt 0886: MAP4K4 in oligodendrocytes, braak

power
full sample +0.08 (p 0.748, n 18), 95% CI -0.40 to +0.53. the interval is wide: not enough donors to tell.
confounder
adjusted for sex: +0.09 (p 0.722, n 18). does not hold up.
composition
oligodendrocytes share of nuclei vs axis +0.03 (p 0.915); controlling for it: +0.28 (p 0.261, n 18). could be the mix.
skeptic
leave-one-out range -0.03 to +0.21, sign flips 4; without severely affected donors +0.08 (p 0.748, n 18). fragile.
cell type
no other cell group does better.
axis
no measure beats "tracks Braak Lewy-body stage" for MAP4K4 in oligodendrocytes.

case closed: nothing better to follow up.

Receipts

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