A bioenergetic model of the mitochondrial population undergoing permeability transition

Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a highly regulated complex phenomenon that is a type of ischemia/reperfusion injury that can lead to cell death and ultimately organ dysfunction. A novel population transition and detailed permeability transition pore regulation model were integrated with an existing bioenergetics model to describe MPT induction under a variety of conditions. The framework of the MPT induction model includes the potential states of the mitochondria (aggregated, orthodox and post-transition), their transitions from one state to another as well as their interaction with the extra-mitochondrial environment. The model encodes the three basic necessary conditions for MPT: a high calcium load, alkaline matrix pH and circumstances which favor de-energization. The MPT induction model was able to reproduce the expected bioenergetic trends observed in a population of mitochondria subjected to conditions that favor MPT. The model was corroborated and used to predict that MPT in an acidic environment is mitigated by an increase in activity of the mitochondrial potassium/hydrogen exchanger. The model was also used to present the beneficial impact of reducing the duration mitochondria spend in the orthodox state on preserving the extra-mitochondrial ATP levels. The model serves as a tool for investigators to use to understand the MPT induction phenomenon, explore alternative hypotheses for PTP regulation, as well as identify endogenous pharmacological targets and evaluate potential therapeutics for MPT mitigation.