PINK1

Patent Pending PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) is a mitochondrial serine/threonine-protein kinase encoded by the PINK1 gene.[1][2] It is thought to protect cells from stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. PINK1 activity causes the parkin protein to bind to depolarized mitochondria to induce autophagy of those mitochondria.[3][4] PINK1 is processed by healthy mitochondria and released to trigger neuron differentiation.[5] Mutations in this gene cause one form of autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease.