Parkinson Disease 7 Domain Containing Protein 1 (PDDC1)

PDDC1 Belongs to the peptidase C56 family. The PARK7 gene provides instructions for making the DJ-1 protein. Studies indicate that this protein has several functions, although none are fully understood. The DJ-1 protein may help protect cells, particularly brain cells, from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when unstable molecules called free radicals accumulate to levels that damage or kill cells. Additionally, the protein may serve as a chaperone molecule that helps fold newly produced proteins into the proper 3-dimensional shape and helps refold damaged proteins. Chaperone molecules also assist in delivering selected proteins to proteasomes, the cell machinery that breaks down unwanted molecules. Researchers also suggest that the DJ-1 protein may play a role in activities that produce and process RNA, a chemical cousin of DNA.