title: Parkin: a multipurpose neuroprotective agent?
abstract: An autosomal recessive juvenile-onset form of Parkinson's disease (AR-JP) is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the parkin gene, which encodes a ubiquitin-protein ligase. Three recent reports demonstrate that parkin can protect neurons from diverse cellular insults, including alpha-synuclein toxicity, proteasomal dysfunction, Pael-R accumulation, and kainate-induced excitotoxicity. These findings suggest a central role for parkin in maintaining dopaminergic neuronal integrity and strengthen the link between AR-JP and the more common sporadic form of Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Room 514, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. mel_feany@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Mel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Feany
authors.forename: Leo J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Pallanck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008025:Ligases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
chemical_list: D044767:Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases; C111567:parkin protein; D008025:Ligases