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An antigenomic strategy for treating heteroplasmic mtDNA disorders.

Authors :
Taylor RW
Wardell TM
Smith PM
Muratovska A
Murphy MP
Turnbull DM
Lightowlers RN
Source :
Advanced drug delivery reviews [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] 2001 Jul 02; Vol. 49 (1-2), pp. 121-5.
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

In mammals, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the only autonomously replicating source of DNA outside the nucleus. Housed in the mitochondrial matrix, this molecule encodes thirteen polypeptides, all of which are believed to be essential components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Defects of the mitochondrial genome can cause severe neurological and multi-systemic disorders. As the genetic defect causes a dysfunction in the terminal stage of oxidative metabolism, there is little potential for pharmacological intervention. Thus, there is currently no effective therapy for these chronic progressive disorders. In the disease state, pathogenic mtDNA molecules often cohabit the same cell and tissue with wild type mtDNA, a situation termed heteroplasmy. Manifestation of biochemical and clinical defects occur only when a threshold level of heteroplasmy has been passed. The mitochondrial genome must be continually turned over. Consequently, if a pathogenic mtDNA molecule were to be targeted to prevent it from replicating, the wild type copy would be given a propagative advantage. Over time, therefore, the biochemical and, potentially, the clinical deficiency could be reversed. This manuscript summarises our attempts to identify such an antigenomic molecule, to localise this molecule to mitochondria and to assess its function in whole cells. Finally, we discuss the importance of identifying and designing new antigenomic molecules which may prove effective in treating patients with disorders of the mitochondrial genome.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0169-409X
Volume :
49
Issue :
1-2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Advanced drug delivery reviews
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
11377807
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0169-409x(01)00130-2