title: [Genetics of Parkinson disease].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  What is the role of genetic factors in the pathophysiology of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, one of the most frequent neurodegenerative disorders? In the past two years, identification of two genes and localization of a third one have supported the hypothesis that genetics factors are involved in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We present arguments that support such hypothesis, and describe recent advances in genetic studies of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The first gene identified on chromosome 4 encodes alpha-synuclein. It causes a rare form of autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. A locus on the short arm of chromosome 2 was recently identified in families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. More recently, the gene encoding Parkin (located on chromosome 6) has been described. It already appears to be an important locus for juvenile parkinsonism with autosomal recessive transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We now have to understand how mutations in these genes lead to selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, and to determine whether or not they participate in the genetic susceptibility of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Fédération de neurologie, hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brassat
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durr
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Agid
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brice
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4; D002896:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6; D006801:Humans; D008025:Ligases; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051843:Synucleins; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011506:Proteins; C497604:SNCA protein, human; D051843:Synucleins; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C111567:parkin protein; D008025:Ligases