Parkin:一种作用极其广泛的E3泛素连接酶

Parkin,又名PARK2,自发现初始便与帕金森病(Parkinson's disease,PD)密切相关.Parkin被认为是一种神经保护性基因.随着对其结构的深入了解,揭开了作为E3泛素连接酶的面纱.Parkin参与调控细胞周期、线粒体动态平衡和能量代谢等细胞进程,并与许多疾病息息相关,甚至在同一通路中发挥完全相...

Parkin: an Extremely Versatile E3 Ubiquitin Ligase

Parkin, also known as PARK2, has been closely related to Parkinson’s disease (PD) since its discovery. It is considered to be a neuroprotective gene. With the in-depth understanding for its structure, Parkin has been unveiled as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Parkin is involved in the regulation of cell cycle, mitochondrial homeostasis, energy metabolism and other cellular processes, and is closely related to many diseases. It even plays completely opposite roles in the same pathway, namely cell proliferation and apoptosis, indicating that this must be a gene with an extremely broad and important role. This article summarizes the discovery and structure of Parkin and its self-inhibiting characteristics, focusing on the ubiquitination process that it participates in as E3 ubiquitin ligase and the resulting autophagy, protein degradation, changes in protein subcellular localization and protein interaction. These may all serve as the basis for Parkin to prevent PD and suppress tumors. On this basis, two reasons for Parkin abnormalities leading to PD are summarized: abnormal protein quality control and mitochondrial dysfunction, and extended to cardiovascular and kidney diseases caused by the abnormality of Parkin due to mitochondrial dysfunction. The internal connection between Parkin and cancer is also introduced from the aspects of Parkin as a tumor suppressor, regulating cell cycle, apoptosis and metastasis, oxidative stress and energy metabolism. By maintaining the active state of Parkin or enhancing its expression, it may be possible to improve the condition of PD patients. But the mechanism of Parkin’s inhibition of tumor growth remains to be deciphered, and the potential role of Parkin in mediating the relationship between PD and cancer risk should be strengthened. These follow-up in-depth studies and their role in the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases and application of target molecules laid the foundation.