Topic: mitochondrial heterogeneity

Metabolic insufficiency has been identified as a key factor underpinning the degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons during the course of Parkinson’s disease. Our studies suggest that a specific interaction of Parkinson’s protein, DJ-1 (Park7) with the mitochondrial F1Fo ATP synthase is required for stability of the mitochondrial inner membrane, which is required for neuronal and synaptic bioenergetic efficiency. To determine whether this molecular mechanism contributes to the vulnerability in Parkinson’s disease, we examined the interaction between the two molecules in different dopamin