The product of the Parkinson's disease 7 (Park7/DJ-1) gene belongs to the peptidase C56 family of proteins and appears to have two transcriptional variants. It is a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription, and some evidence suggests it may also function as a redox-sensitive chaperone and sensor for oxidative stress. It apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. Defects in the Park7 gene result in the autosomal recessive form of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
