Alban Ordureau, a postdoc in the Harper lab, has developed a proteomics method that allows for the dynamics of PARKIN-dependent mitochondrial ubiquitylation to be followed with unprecedented preision and in a site-specific manner. The approach employed targeted proteomics of ubiquitylation sites in 15 PARKIN targets, allowing digital snapshots of PARKIN activity. This system was used to monitor PARKIN activity in stem cell-derived cortical and dopaminergic neurons, and to examine mechanistic aspects of the pathway.

This work was published in Molecular Cell (April 19th, 2018 issue). To learn more, see HMS News.