Fig. 3

The molecular mechanisms dysregulated in PD and thought to lead to DAergic neuronal cell death. Up to now, 14 genes have been consistently associated with familial PD (red circles; [38]). The analysis of the functions of the corresponding (mutated) proteins and the resulting cellular abnormalities has allowed the identification of the depicted main pathways underlying PD: mitochondrial, proteasomal and autophagy dysfunction, protein aggregation, dopamine metabolism and oxidative stress, leading to DAergic cell death [39–44]. Green circles: compounds dysregulating multiple cellular processes linked to PD and used to mimic PD with dotted lines pointing towards their targets. Orange circles: drugs that specifically act on one of the processes are placed next to their targeted pathway