Activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) clearly plays a key role some of the most wide-spread and therapeutically challenging human diseases. Our studies have established that the PTP operates in two modes 1) transiently, whereby the PTP acts as a mitochondrial Ca2+ release channel or 2) persistently, which ultimately results in the cell death and disease. Although well characterized on a functional level, we have no small molecules that specifically target the PTP or the transition from transient to persistent - from normal to pathological. As a result, our goal in this applicatin is to use the resource available in the MLPCN network is to identify the probes that uniquely target the PTP. This information is critical if we are to be able to effectively identify and/or design valuable therapeutics targeting the transition of the PTP from normal to pathological. The specific objectives of this application are based in the synergy possible through the unique combination of novel approaches available in our three laboratories;
Aim 1 - We will screen the available NIH SMR to identify small molecule probes able to inhibit PTP opening using a simple in vitro assay that has already been adapted to the 1536 plate format to allow screening in high throughput (HTS) formats.
Aim 2 - Since the primary screen is designed to """"""""caste a wide net"""""""", secondary screens have been developed that can also be used in HTS formats to limit to our future studies to molecules that specifically target the PTP.
Aim 3 - We will initiate studies on te mechanism of action of active compounds based on assays of mitochondrial function as assessed in an in situ, whole cell context. These tertiary screens will also serve as a mechanism to assess chemically modified active compounds in an attempt to improve their biological activity. These studies will set the stage for future interrogation aimed at extending our understanding of mitochondria and PTP activity in physiological and pathological settings. Clearly, these outcomes will be fundamental to developing novel therapeutic strategies specifically targeting the pore in the many disease processes in which the PTP has been clearly implicated.
The mitochondrial permeability transition pore has been studied for over 50 years and has been implicated, for example, in ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart and brain, muscular dystrophy caused by collagen VI deficiency, and in the axonal damage occurring during MS among many other pathological conditions. Since little is known of the molecular composition of the PTP, our goals in this application are to use high throughput screens to identify small molecules targeting the PTP and to generate initial insights into how PTP activity is regulated in physiological settings. Since the PTP is of direct relevance to variety of human pathological conditions, we anticipate that the rigorous and careful identification of proteins forming or regulating the formation of the PTP will increase our ability to define therapies targeting these proteins as treatments for a wide variety of human diseases.
| Roy, Sudeshna; Šileikyt?, Justina; Neuenswander, Benjamin et al. (2016) N-Phenylbenzamides as Potent Inhibitors of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore. ChemMedChem 11:283-8 |
| Bernardi, Paolo; Rasola, Andrea; Forte, Michael et al. (2015) The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore: Channel Formation by F-ATP Synthase, Integration in Signal Transduction, and Role in Pathophysiology. Physiol Rev 95:1111-55 |
| Bernardi, Paolo; Forte, Michael (2015) Commentary: SPG7 is an essential and conserved component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Front Physiol 6:320 |
| Bernardi, Paolo; Di Lisa, Fabio (2015) The mitochondrial permeability transition pore: molecular nature and role as a target in cardioprotection. J Mol Cell Cardiol 78:100-6 |
| Bernardi, Paolo (2013) The mitochondrial permeability transition pore: a mystery solved? Front Physiol 4:95 |
