Mitochondrial DNA Targeting Therapies
10.13865/j.cnki.cjbmb.2021.01.1444
- Author:
Ming-Hui ZHAO
1
;
Chao-Nan YUAN
1
;
Jing-Yan GE
1
Author Information
1. College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
drug modification;
gene editing;
mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA);
mitochondrial targeting delivery;
mitochondrion
- From:
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2021;37(6):720-726
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The mitochondrion is a particularly important organelle in eukaryotic cells. It contains its own genetic material and is coined as “the powerhouse of cells”. Mitochondria are involved in many cellular progresses such as cell signaling and metabolic homeostasis. Its dysfunction is linked to various human diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Mitochondrion has a unique DNA, a small size with 16 569 bp circular genome, encoding only 37 genes, which are key components of the electron transport chain (ETC) and translational machinery. Furthermore, the mutations of mitochondrion DNA correlate with some inherited disease such as Leber’ s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). There are very few treatments to fully cure these diseases. As a result, researchers are interested in developing a wide range of methods to understand mitochondrial functions. In this review, we mainly focus on works in targeting mitochondrial DNA, including drug modification, material delivery and gene editing.
