DJ-1 associates with synaptic membranes

► DJ-1 colocalizes with the synaptic vesicle proteins such as synaptophysin and Rab3A. ► Wild type DJ-1 protein directly binds membranes without an intermediary protein. ► The pathogenic L166P mutation of DJ-1 exhibits less binding to synaptic vesicles. ► The association between DJ-1 and synaptic vesicles may contribute to the pathomechanisms in PARK7-linked PD.