The mitochondrial-associated proteins, Pink1 and Parkin, are frequently mutated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but little is known about their regulation and role in pathology. Here, Alexander Whitworth, Jeffrey Lee and colleagues identify two proteases involved in this pathway in Drosophila. They find that the mitochondrial serine protease, Omi/HtrA2, is activated downstream of Pink1, and that Rhomboid-7 (the fly ortholog of human PARL) is required to process the mitochondrial-membrane-tethered forms of Pink and Omi into their soluble forms. PARL is a member of a recently discovered mitochondrial intramembrane protease family, which regulates mitochondrial morphology and apoptosis. The authors suggest that these proteins are involved in pathways linked to the premature death processes induced in the midbrain dopaminergic neurons that lead to PD.
DMM Journal Meeting 2023: Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens
The abstract submission deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens’ is 14 July 2023. Find out more and register for the 2023 Journal Meeting here.
The Forest of Biologists
The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Disease Models & Mechanisms a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025
We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Biologists Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South (GS) country to host an event overseas.
At a Glance - in vitro cardiac models
In our recent At a Glance feature Lika Drakhlis and Robert Zweigerdt provide an overview of in vitro cardiac models, their advantages and limitations and their applications for disease modelling and therapeutic development.
Perspective - Designer pigs for xenogeneic heart transplantation and beyond
Xenotransplantation of porcine hearts is a potential option for patients who cannot receive human organs. Eckhard Wolf and colleagues elaborate on how genetically engineered pigs can provide a powerful platform for restoration of cardiac function.
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