Using the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated human α-synuclein overexpression PD model and the MPTP-induced PD mouse model, a team of researchers found that intraperitoneally injected with celastrol can improve motor deficits and thus exert neuroprotective effects by modulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)- Nod-like receptor family, pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)-caspase-1 pathway (Zhang et al., 2021). The gene discussed is CASP1; the disease is Parkinson disease.