A mutant DJ-1 gene causes recessive Parkinson’s disease, but the molecular mechanism of this process has not been well studied. To understand how DJ-1 hydrolyzes cyclic 3-phosphoglyceric anhydride—a highly reactive, toxic cellular metabolite—researchers from Japan have performed molecular simulations and biochemical assays, including mutational analyses, confirming DJ-1’s role in the pathogenesis of hereditary Parkinson’s disease.
This article was originally published on MedicalXpress.com