DJ-1 (PARK 7) protects neurons against oxidative stress and cell death, is a positive regulator of androgen-receptor dependent transcription, and is expressed in the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium of mammals.
Protein deglycase DJ-1, also known as Parkinson disease protein 7, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the PARK7 gene. 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. DJ-1 is expressed in both the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium of mammals, where it exerts a neuroprotective role against oxidative stress under both physiological and pathological conditions. 
