Neuroprotective Function of DJ-1 in Parkinson’s Disease

Figure 5

Proposed model of the role of DJ-1 in the onset of Parkinson’s disease. In the case of familial Parkinson’s disease (PD), the DJ-1 gene is heritably mutated, giving rise to inactive DJ-1 that causes PD. In the case of sporadic PD, DJ-1 expression is induced in cells upon oxidative stress to prevent cell death. During the course of continuous oxidative stress, DJ-1 is highly oxidized, giving rise to inactive DJ-1 that causes PD.