Grant: Project Grant

Mutations in the Parkin and PINK1 genes cause juvenile familial forms of Parkinson's disease. These genes encode enzymes that degrade damaged components of the cells that are required to maintain neurons alive. However, how they accomplish these functions at the molecular level is unknown. The goal of this research project is to determine how PINK1 senses damage and enables Parkin to tag these damage components. The project will combine in an innovative way technologies such as mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography to characterize and capture the interactions formed by these proteins. This knowledge will feed new experiments to shed light on the roles played by these enzymes, and will also guide the development of novel drugs that could cure Parkinson's disease.