Regulation and function of PINK1 kinase in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is an incurable disorder of the brain in which brain cells are progressively lost. Mutations in two genes, PINK1 and Parkin, cause inheritable forms of Parkinson's. We have made advances in understanding how PINK1 and Parkin communicate closely to maintain mitochondria in the cells. However, we still have poor understanding of the details of this communication in the brain cells in people with Parkinson's. 

We will use mass spectrometry and biochemistry to identify new targets in PINK1 and Parkin in the brain cells of mice. We also plan to see how other Parkinson's genes affect PINK1 and Parkin, and investigate how PINK1 is controlled by cellular stress. 

Our findings will be important for the development and testing of drugs targeting PINK1 and Parkin as potential therapies for people with Parkinson's.