[The role of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in neurodegenerative processes].
OBJECTIVE
To review the role played by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in different physiological and pathological processes.


METHODS
Both genetic and functional alterations in mitochondria can lead to errors that trigger programmed cell death, which in turn give rise to a number of diseases that affect the nervous system. Over the last few years the mitochondrion has been seen as the link between the different signalling pathways involved in some degenerative processes. The mitochondrion seems to play an important part in the cellular decision making that leads, irreversibly, toward the execution phase in cellular death processes. This being the case, the action would be mediated by the permeability of its membranes, through the formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and would involve phenomena such as the dissipation of the mitochondrial electrochemical potential and the release of substances from within it. These substances include apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), apoptosis protease activating factor 1 (apaf 1), cytochrome c and members of the protease family: the caspases. These alterations have been described in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer s and Parkinson s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and transmissible spongiform encephalopaties.


CONCLUSIONS
Designing pharmaceutical products capable of interfering with the functions of MPTP would allow a better therapeutic approach in neurological pathologies.
Tornero
D
D
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha. Albacete, España.
Ceña
V
V
González- García
C
C
Jordán
J
J
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D016923:Cell Death; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems; D015398:Signal Transduction
D007473:Ion Channels; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore