TP53 and Parkinson disease: Nevertheless, a different modification of p53 has been detected in the pathogenesis of PD: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces the cell death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of mice which has ever since been used as model for the investigation of PD pathogenesis (Nicotra and Parvez, 2002).