PUBLICATION

Targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism with TSPO ligands

Authors
Gut, P.
ID
ZDB-PUB-151110-2
Date
2015
Source
Biochemical Society transactions   43: 537-542 (Review)
Registered Authors
Gut, Philipp
Keywords
PK 11195, diabetes mellitus, metabolic disease, mitochondria, mitochondrial drugs, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cytosol/metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism*/drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mitochondria/metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes/metabolism
  • Receptors, GABA/metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
PubMed
26551690 Full text @ Biochem Soc. Trans.
Abstract
The translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) resides on the outer mitochondrial membrane where it is believed to participate in cholesterol transport and steroid hormone synthesis. Although it is almost ubiquitously expressed, what TSPO does in non-steroidogenic tissues is largely unexplored. Recent studies report changes in glucose homoeostasis and cellular energy production when TSPO function is modulated by selective ligands or by genetic loss-of-function. This review summarizes findings that connect TSPO function with the regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism. The juxtaposition of TSPO at the cytosolic/mitochondrial interface and the existence of endogenous ligands that are regulated by metabolism suggest that TSPO functions to adapt mitochondrial to cellular metabolism. From a pharmacological perspective the specific up-regulation of TSPO in neuro-inflammatory and injury-induced conditions make TSPO an interesting, druggable target of mitochondrial metabolism.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping