Description
Parkin or parkinson protein 2 is a RING domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase involved in proteasome-dependent degradation of proteins. Mutations in Parkin can lead to Prakinson’s disease. Parkin is important for mitochondrial quality control by lysosome-dependent degradation of damaged mitochondria through autophagy, or mitophagy. Parkin plays an important role in directly supporting mitochondrial function and protecting mitochondrial genomic integrity from oxidative stress. Parkin also has essential role in regulating normal respiratory function in mitochondria and in the protection of cells from oxidative stress