Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1 form a ubiquitin E3 ligase complex promoting unfolded protein degradation

J Clin Invest. 2009 Mar;119(3):650-60. doi: 10.1172/JCI37617. Epub 2009 Feb 23.

Abstract

Mutations in PARKIN, pten-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), and DJ-1 are individually linked to autosomal recessive early-onset familial forms of Parkinson disease (PD). Although mutations in these genes lead to the same disease state, the functional relationships between them and how their respective disease-associated mutations cause PD are largely unknown. Here, we show that Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1 formed a complex (termed PPD complex) to promote ubiquitination and degradation of Parkin substrates, including Parkin itself and Synphilin-1 in neuroblastoma cells and human brain lysates. Genetic ablation of either Pink1 or Dj-1 resulted in reduced ubiquitination of endogenous Parkin as well as decreased degradation and increased accumulation of aberrantly expressed Parkin substrates. Expression of PINK1 enhanced Parkin-mediated degradation of heat shock-induced misfolded protein. In contrast, PD-pathogenic Parkin and PINK1 mutations showed reduced ability to promote degradation of Parkin substrates. This study identified a functional ubiquitin E3 ligase complex consisting of PD-associated Parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1 to promote degradation of un-/misfolded proteins and suggests that their PD-pathogenic mutations impair E3 ligase activity of the complex, which may constitute a mechanism underlying PD pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genes, Recessive
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / deficiency
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Oncogene Proteins / deficiency
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics*
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1
  • Protein Denaturation
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination
  • alpha-Synuclein / deficiency
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics*
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SNCA protein, human
  • Ubiquitin
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • PARK7 protein, human
  • Protein Deglycase DJ-1