The role of DJ-1 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, gait dysfunction, and postural instability. Several genes have been identified for monogenic disorders that variably resemble Parkinson's disease. Here, we focus on PARK7, a gene relates to an autosomal recessive form of early-onset Parkinsonism and encodes a protein named DJ-1. Though the exact role of DJ-1 needs to be elucidated, it is generally thought to be functioned as a molecular chaperone and an oxidative sensor (or antioxidative factor). We will review the protective role of DJ-1 to prevent dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) from degeneration and how its dysfunction would lead to neurodegeneration.
Wang
Zhi-Quan
ZQ
Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; E-mail: chen_sd@medmail.com.cn.
Zhou
Hai-Yan
HY
Chen
Sheng-Di
SD