pUBLically unzipping Parkin: how phosphorylation exposes a ligase bit by bit.

Disposal of damaged mitochondria is tightly controlled by auto‐inhibition mechanisms that keep the ubiquitin ligase Parkin in check. Several new structural studies provide insight into how PINK1‐dependent phosphorylation of ubiquitin and Parkin may progressively relieve Parkin auto‐inhibition.