PARK7

Protein deglycase DJ-1, also known as Parkinson disease protein 7, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the PARK7 gene.

Gene

The gene PARK7, also known as DJ-1, encodes a protein of the peptidase C56 family. The human gene PARK7 has 8 Exons and locates at chromosome band 1p36.23.

Protein

The human protein deglycase DJ-1 is 20 kDa in size and composed of 189 amino acids with seven β-strands and nine α-helices in total and is present as a dimer.

Function

PARK7 belongs to the peptidase C56 family of proteins. The protein structures of human protein DJ-1, Escherichia coli chaperone Hsp31 and an Archaea protease are evolutionarily conserved. Under an oxidative condition, protein deglycase DJ-1 inhibits the aggregation of α-synuclein via its chaperone activity, thus functions as a redox-sensitive chaperone and as a sensor for oxidative stress. Accordingly, DJ-1 apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. In parallel, Protein DJ-1 acts as a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription.