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Mitochondria as a pharmacological target: Magnum overview
Author(s) -
Olszewska Anna,
Szewczyk Adam
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1147
Subject(s) - mitochondrion , organelle , oxidative stress , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , programmed cell death , oxidative phosphorylation , biology , mitochondrial dna , cell metabolism , neuroscience , biochemistry , apoptosis , gene
Mitochondria, responsible for energy metabolism within the cell, act as signaling organelles. Mitochondrial dysfunction may lead to cell death and oxidative stress and may disturb calcium metabolism. Additionally, mitochondria play a pivotal role in cardioprotective phenomena and a variety of neurodegenerative disorders ranging from Parkinson's to Alzheimer's disease. Mitochondrial DNA mutations may lead to impaired respiration. Hence, targeting the mitochondria with drugs offers great potential for new therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this overview is to present the recent state of knowledge concerning the interactions of various substances with mitochondria. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(3):273–281, 2013