InterPro domain: IPR006287

Glycation is a nonenzymatic covalent reaction between proteins and endogenous reducing sugars or dicarbonyls (methylglyoxal, glyoxal) that results in protein inactivation. DJ-1 was described in vitro as a protein deglycase that repaired methylglyoxal- and glyoxal-glycated proteins [ 1 , 2 ]. Since then there have been reports against [ 3 ], and supporting this role for DJ-1 [ 4 ].Furthermore, supporting its deglycase activity, DJ-1 and its bacterial homologues have been shown to be able to repair methylglyoxal- and glyoxal-glycated nucleotides and nucleic acids [ 5 ]. This ability would make DJ-1 a target for diabetic and cancer research [ 6 ]. DJ-1, also known as Park7, has been associated with human parkinsonism [ 7 ].

Included in this family is also YajL from Escherichia coli, the bacterial homologue of DJ-1 [ 8 , 9 ]. This group of proteins are classified as either DJ-1 putative peptidases or non-peptidase homologues in MEROPS peptidase family C56 (clan PC(C)).

1. Parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1/Park7 is a major protein deglycase that repairs methylglyoxal- and glyoxal-glycated cysteine, arginine, and lysine residues. J. Biol. Chem. 290, 1885-97
2. The Parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1/Park7 prevents glycation damage in human keratinocyte. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 473, 87-91
3. Evidence Against a Role for the Parkinsonism-associated Protein DJ-1 in Methylglyoxal Detoxification. J. Biol. Chem. 292, 685-690
4. Parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1 is a bona fide deglycase. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 483, 387-391
5. Guanine glycation repair by DJ-1/Park7 and its bacterial homologs. Science 357, 208-211
6. Of sizzling steaks and DNA repair. Science 357, 130-131
7. Mutations in the DJ-1 gene associated with autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism. Science 299, 256-9
8. Translational defects in a mutant deficient in YajL, the bacterial homolog of the parkinsonism-associated protein DJ-1. J. Bacteriol. 192, 6302-6
9. The DJ-1 superfamily members YhbO and YajL from Escherichia coli repair proteins from glycation by methylglyoxal and glyoxal. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 470, 282-6