Work in murine models of PD has demonstrated that deletion of the PERK downstream apoptotic regulator Chop protects against 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuron death (Silva et al., 2005), suggesting that the pro-apoptotic arm of PERK signaling is induced and is detrimental for dopaminergic neuron survival. The gene discussed is EIF2AK3; the disease is Parkinson disease.