PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) is a mitochondrial serine/threonine-protein kinase encoded by the PINK1 gene. It is thought to protect cells from stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. PINK1 activity causes the parkin protein to bind to depolarized mitochondria to induce autophagy of those mitochondria. PINK1 is processed by healthy mitochondria and released to trigger neuron differentiation. Mutations in this gene cause one form of autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease.