DJ-1, or PARK 7, is a human protein in the peptidase (protease) family or enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins into peptides or amino acids; it protects neurons against oxidative stress and is a positive regulator of androgen-receptor dependent transcription.
Protein deglycase DJ-1, also known as Parkinson disease protein 7, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the PARK7 gene. The gene PARK7, also known as DJ-1, encodes a protein of the peptidase C56 family. It belongs to the peptidase C56 family of proteins. Accordingly, DJ-1 apparently protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death. In parallel, protein DJ-1 acts as a positive regulator of androgen receptor-dependent transcription. A protease (also called a peptidase or proteinase) is an enzyme that catalyzes (increases the rate of) proteolysis, the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids. 
