PARK7

Protein deglycase DJ-1, also known as Parkinson disease protein 7, is a is_associated_with::protein which in humans is encoded by the PARK7 is_associated_with::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 is_associated_with::β-strands and nine is_associated_with::α-helices in total and is present as a dimer.

Function
PARK7 belongs to the is_associated_with::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 is_associated_with::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 is_associated_with::androgen receptor-dependent transcription.

Clinical significance
Defects in this gene are the cause of autosomal recessive early-onset is_associated_with::Parkinson's disease 7.

Interactions
PARK7 has been shown to interact with:
 * is_associated_with::CASK,
 * is_associated_with::EFCAB6, and
 * PIAS2.