Targeting the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier for Neuroprotection.

Abstract

The mitochondrial pyruvate carriers mediate pyruvate import into the mitochondria, which is key to the sustenance of the tricarboxylic cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. However, inhibition of mitochondria pyruvate carrier-mediated pyruvate transport was recently shown to be beneficial in experimental models of neurotoxicity pertaining to the context of Parkinson's disease, and is also protective against excitotoxic neuronal death. These findings attested to the metabolic adaptability of neurons resulting from MPC inhibition, a phenomenon that has also been shown in other tissue types. In this short review, I discuss the mechanism and potential feasibility of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibition as a neuroprotective strategy in neuronal injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Authors: Bor Luen Tang
• Journal: Brain sciences (Brain Sci) Vol. 9 Issue 9 (Sep 18 2019) ISSN: 2076-3425 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 31540439 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)