DJ-1/PARK7 in Parkinson's disease: mechanisms of pathogenesis and therapeutic potential

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the substantial degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons, the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, and the intraneuronal formation of Lewy bodies. DJ-1 is a multifaceted protein that has been linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent research has highlighted a potential role for DJ-1 in PD. This protein plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, modulating apoptosis, facilitating chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), and stabilizing dopamine levels by interacting with various signaling pathways, transcription factors, and molecular chaperones. The potential of DJ-1 as a therapeutic target for PD is apparent. In this review, we delineate the specific contributions of DJ-1 to the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic developments centered on DJ-1 in the context of neurodegeneration associated with PD.