Targeting large molecules to mitochondria.
Mitochondrial function is central to a range of cell processes and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to a number of human diseases. Consequently there is growing interest in delivering large molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, enzyme mimetics, drugs and probes to mitochondria within cells. The reasons for doing this are to understand how mitochondria function in the cell and to develop therapies for diseases involving mitochondrial damage. Here we review the methods that have been used to target large molecules to mitochondria and discuss some approaches under development.
Muratovska
A
A
Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Lightowlers
R N
RN
Taylor
R W
RW
Wilce
J A
JA
Murphy
M P
MP
D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008081:Liposomes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage
D008081:Liposomes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010455:Peptides