Moreover, XIRP is a known target of MEF2A64,65, a DNA-binding transcription factor that mediates neuronal differentiation and survival, as it is cleaved by mitochondrial apoptotic caspases during excitotoxic neuronal stress66, and XIRP2 has previously shown decreased expression in brain samples of PD patients67. The gene discussed is XIRP2; the disease is Parkinson disease.