Mitochondria as a Target for Neurotoxins and Neuroprotective Agents

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 993; no. 1; pp. 334 - 344
• Main Authors: BACHURIN, SERGEY O., SHEVTSOVA, ELENA P., KIREEVA, ELENA G., OXENKRUG, GREGORY F., SABLIN, SERGEY O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2003
• Subjects: 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium - pharmacology; Amyloid beta-Peptides - pharmacology; Animals; apoptosis; Calcium - metabolism; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Cyclosporine - pharmacology; dimebon; Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Indoles - pharmacology; Lipid Peroxidation; mitochondria; Mitochondria, Liver - drug effects; Mitochondria, Liver - metabolism; N-acetylserotonin; neurodegeneration; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Nootropic Agents - pharmacology; Peptide Fragments - pharmacology; Permeability; permeability transition pores; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Serotonin - analogs & derivatives; Serotonin - metabolism; tacrine; Tacrine - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07541.x

: Mitochondrial permeability transition pores represent a multiprotein complex that includes components of both inner and outer membrane. The pores regulate transport of ions and peptides in and out of mitochondria, and their regulation is associated with a general mechanism for maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell and apoptosis. Various pathologic factors may induce a pathologic activation of the permeability transition and an irreversible opening of mitochondria pores. This event is a major step in the development of neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. This paper explores the effect of MPP+ and β‐amyloid fragment 25‐35, neurotoxins that are known to generate Parkinson's‐like syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, on the regulation of the mitochondrial pores. Both neurotoxins induce opening of mitochondrial pores, which is prevented by cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the permeability transition. The effect of MPP+ and β‐amyloid may be also prevented by an endogenous precursor of melatonin, N‐acetylserotonin, by an anti‐Alzheimer's medication tacrine, and by dimebon, which is in development as an agent for the therapy of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The paper illustrates that the effect on mitochondrial pores is an important aspect of the mechanism of neurotoxicity. Substances that may prevent opening of mitochondrial pores induced by neurotoxins may preserve the mitochondrial function and, thus, may have potential as neuroprotective agents.