Does parkin play a role in the peripheral nervous system? A family report

Abstract
Two genes were identified for autosomal recessive forms of early onset Parkinson's disease: parkin and DJ‐1. We describe 2 siblings with EOPD due to parkin mutations and peripheral neuropathy, which presented as neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) in the index case. RT‐PCR experiments revealed that the parkin gene is expressed in sural nerves from both controls and patient with parkin‐related disease. Our findings support the view that parkin may play a role in the peripheral nervous system. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society