Importance of DJ-1 in autophagy regulation and disease

Autophagy is a highly conserved biological process that has evolved across evolution. It can be activated by various external stimuli including oxidative stress, amino acid starvation, infection, and hypoxia. Autophagy is the primary mechanism for preserving cellular homeostasis and is implicated in the regulation of metabolism, cell differentiation, tolerance to starvation conditions, and resistance to aging. As a multifunctional protein, DJ-1 is commonly expressed in vivo and is associated with a variety of biological processes. Its most widely studied role is its function as an oxidative stress sensor that inhibits the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria and subsequently the cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. In recent years, many studies have identified DJ-1 as another important factor regulating autophagy; it regulates autophagy in various ways, most commonly by regulating the oxidative stress response. In particular, DJ-1-regulated auto-phagy is involved in cancer progression and plays a key role in alleviating neurodegenerative diseases(NDS) and defective reperfusion diseases. It could serve as a potential target for the regulation of autophagy and participate in disease treatment as a meaningful modality. Therefore, exploring DJ-1-regulated autophagy could provide new avenues for future disease treatment.

Automated summary

Autophagy is a highly conserved biological process activated by various external stimuli, and it plays a crucial role in preserving cellular homeostasis and regulating metabolism. DJ-1, a multifunctional protein, is not only a sensor for oxidative stress but also involved in the regulation of autophagy, especially through the oxidative stress response. DJ-1-regulated autophagy has implications in cancer progression, and it could also alleviate neurodegenerative diseases and defective reperfusion diseases. Exploring the regulation of autophagy by DJ-1 provides new avenues for future disease treatment.