title: Pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization for neuroprotection.
abstract: Recent data have provided important clues about the molecular mechanisms underlying certain neurodegenerative diseases. Most cell death in vertebrates proceeds via the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Mitochondria contain proapoptotic factors such as cytochrome c and AIF in their intermembrane space. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP) is a critical event during apoptosis, representing the "point of no return" of the lethal process. Modern medicine is developing an increasing number of drugs for neurodegenerative disease, but no neuroprotective treatment has yet been established. While current treatments temporarily alleviate symptoms, they do not halt disease progression. This paper briefly reviews the pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization for neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. hisatomi@med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hisatomi
authors.forename: Tatsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Joan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kroemer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020169:Caspases