Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0751651 (mitochondrial disease)
 1,844 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Mutations in SLC25A46 gene have been identified in mitochondrial diseases that are sometimes classified as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2, optic atrophy and Leigh syndrome. Human SLC25A46 functions as a transporter across the outer mitochondrial membrane. However, it is still unknown how the neurodegeneration occurring in these diseases relates to the loss of SLC25A46 function. Drosophila has CG5755 (dSLC25A46) as a single human SLC25A46 homolog. Here we established pan-neuron specific dSLC25A46 knockdown flies, and examined their phenotypes. Neuron specific knockdown of dSLC25A46 resulted in an impaired motility in both larvae and adults. Defects at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), such as reduced synaptic branch length, decreased number and size of bouton, reduced density and size of active zone were also observed with the dSLC25A46 knockdown flies. Mitochondrial hyperfusion in synapse at NMJ, accumulation of reactive oxygen species and reduction of ATP were also observed in the dSLC25A46 knockdown flies. These results indicate that depletion of SLC25A46 induces mitochondrial defects accompanied with aberrant morphology of motoneuron and reduction of active zone that results in defect in locomotive ability. In addition, it is known that SLC25A46 mutations in human cause optic atrophy and knockdown of dSLC25A46 induces aberrant morphology of optic stalk of photoreceptor neurons in third instar larvae. Morphology and development of optic stalk of photoreceptor neurons in Drosophila are precisely regulated via cell proliferation and migration. Immunocytochemical analyses of subcellular localization of dSLC25A46 revealed that dSLC25A46 localizes not only in mitochondria, but also in plasma membrane. These observations suggest that in addition to the role in mitochondrial function, plasma membrane-localized dSLC25A46 plays a role in cell proliferation and/or migration to control optic stalk formation. The dSLC25A46 knockdown fly thus recapitulates most of the phenotypes in mitochondrial disease patients, providing a useful tool to study these diseases.
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PMID:Novel Drosophila model for mitochondrial diseases by targeting of a solute carrier protein SLC25A46. 2960 58

Mitochondria are key players in cell death through the activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. BNIP3 and BNIP3L/Nix are outer mitochondrial membrane bifunctional proteins which because of containing both BH3 and LIR domains play a role in cellular response to stress by regulation of apoptosis and selective autophagy. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is the most common mitochondrial disease in adults, characterized by painless loss of vision caused by atrophy of the optic nerve. The disease in over 90% of cases is caused by one of three mutations in the mitochondrial genome: 11778G>A, 3460G>A or 14484T>C. The pathogenic processes leading to optic nerve degeneration are largely unknown, however, the most common explanation is that mtDNA mutations increase the apoptosis level in this tissue. Here we present the results of analysis of BNIP3 and BNIP3L/Nix proteins in cells harboring a combination of the 11778G>A and the 3460G>A LHON mutations. Experiments performed on cybrids revealed that BNIP3 protein level is decreased in LHON cells compared to controls. CCCP treatment resulted in apoptosis induction only in control cells. Moreover, we also noticed reduced level of autophagy in LHON cybrids. The presented results suggest that in cells carrying LHON mutations expression of proteins involved in regulation of apoptosis and autophagy is decreased what in turn may disturb cell death pathways in those cells and affect cellular response to stress.
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PMID:Analysis of BNIP3 and BNIP3L/Nix expression in cybrid cell lines harboring two LHON-associated mutations. 3158 86

Mitochondrial aging, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction, is strongly linked to many age-related diseases. Aging is associated with mitochondrial enlargement and transport of cytosolic proteins into mitochondria. The underlying homeostatic mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial morphology and function, and their breakdown during aging, remain unclear. Here, we identify a mitochondrial protein trafficking pathway in Drosophila melanogaster involving the mitochondria-associated protein Dosmit. Dosmit induces mitochondrial enlargement and the formation of double-membraned vesicles containing cytosolic protein within mitochondria. The rate of vesicle formation increases with age. Vesicles originate from the outer mitochondrial membrane as observed by tracking Tom20 localization, and the process is mediated by the mitochondria-associated Rab32 protein. Dosmit expression level is closely linked to the rate of ubiquitinated protein aggregation, which are themselves associated with age-related diseases. The mitochondrial protein trafficking route mediated by Dosmit offers a promising target for future age-related mitochondrial disease therapies.
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PMID:Vesicular transport mediates the uptake of cytoplasmic proteins into mitochondria in Drosophila melanogaster. 3244 42