Inactivating mutations of the gene encoding parkin are responsible for auto
somal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP). However, little information
is known about the function and distribution of parkin. We generated antibo
dies to two different peptides of parkin. By Western blot analysis and immu
nohistochemistry, we found that parkin is a 50-kd protein that is expressed
in neuronal processes and cytoplasm of selected neurons in the basal gangl
ia, midbrain, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Unlike ubiquitin and alpha -
synuclein, parkin labeling was not found in Lewy bodies of four sporadic Pa
rkinson disease brains. Parkin was colocaized with actin filaments but not
with microtubules in COS1 kidney cells and nerve growth factor-induced PC12
neurons. These results point to the importance of the cytoskeleton and ass
ociated proteins in neurodegeneration.