Mol Cell (2013) 49(5): 901–921 doi:; DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.01.036; published online February 28 2013
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD-associated mutants of Parkin show defects in mitophagy, suggesting that Parkin exerts its neuroprotective role by removal of damaged mitochondria. Müller-Rischart et al (2013) now uncover an autophagy-independent pathway involving Parkin-mediated activation of the LUBAC ubiquitin ligase to prevent mitochondrial impairment and thereby to promote survival.