DJ‐1 colocalizes with tau inclusions: A link between parkinsonism and dementia

Abstract

Two novel mutations recently have been identified in the DJ‐1 gene that cause a new form of autosomal recessive, early‐onset parkinsonism. Because the pathological role of this protein is unknown, we examined the issue here and report the colocalization of DJ‐1 protein within a subset of pathological tau inclusions in a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. Our study extends the view that different neurodegenerative diseases may have similar pathological mechanisms, and that these processes likely include DJ‐1.