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PARL: The mitochondrial rhomboid protease

Marco Spinazzi1, Bart De Strooper2

  • 1VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, O&N4 Herestraat 49 box 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Center for Human Genetics, O&N4 Herestraat 49 box 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|August 10, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The rhomboid family protein PARL is crucial for cell homeostasis. This review examines PARL

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The rhomboid family consists of evolutionarily conserved intramembrane proteases.
  • Mitochondrion-localized rhomboid (PARL in mammals) is vital for cellular homeostasis.
  • Genetic ablation of PARL leads to severe phenotypes across species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functions and substrates of PARL and its orthologues.
  • To highlight controversies and uncertainties regarding PARL's roles.
  • To discuss PARL's potential involvement in diseases like type II diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on PARL and its orthologues.
  • Analysis of proposed substrates and their biological relevance.
  • Comparative analysis across different species (mammals, yeast, Drosophila).

Main Results:

  • Several substrates have been proposed for PARL, but significant controversy remains.
  • PARL's precise functions and mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated.
  • Evidence suggests a conserved role for PARL in maintaining mitochondrial function and cell viability.

Conclusions:

  • PARL and its orthologues are essential for cell homeostasis.
  • Further research is needed to resolve controversies surrounding PARL substrates and functions.
  • PARL may represent a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.
Keywords:
Cell deathMetabolismMitochondriaPARLProteaseRhomboid

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