Progressive Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Knockout Zebrafish.

DJ-1 is a redox sensitive protein with a wide range of functions related to oxidative stress protection. Mutations in the gene, which codes for DJ-1 are associated with early onset familial Parkinson's disease and increased astrocytic DJ-1 levels are found in pathologic tissues from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We have previously established a DJ-1 knockout zebrafish line that developed normally, but with aging the DJ-1 null fish had a lowered level of tyrosine hydroxylase, respiratory mitochondrial failure and a lower body mass.