Structure of Parkin Reveals Mechanisms for Ubiquitin Ligase Activation

Abstract

Parkin Enhanced? Inactivation of parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is responsible for a familial form of Parkinson's disease and may be involved in sporadic forms as well. Trempe et al. (p. 1451 , published online 9 May) present the crystal structure of full-length parkin in an autoinhibited configuration. Guided by the structure, mutations were designed that activated parkin both in vitro and in cells. Because parkin is neuroprotective, the structure provides a framework for enhancing parkin function as a therapeutic strategy in Parkinson's disease.