PINK1-Parkinson (IMAGE) Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Caption The PINK1 gene plays a role in Parkinson's disease. If the gene is switched off in the fly, the mitochondria (green) are damaged and the animal's muscle fibres (red) disintegrate. The activation of the Ret receptor, which binds the growth factor GNDF in humans, counteracts this degeneration. Credit MPI of Neurobiology / Klein Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.