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Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Assessment of Open Probability of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in the Setting of Coenzyme Q Excess
07:35

Assessment of Open Probability of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore in the Setting of Coenzyme Q Excess

Published on: June 1, 2022

2.4K

Identification of small-molecule urea derivatives as PTPC modulators targeting the c subunit of F1/Fo-ATP synthase

Anna Fantinati1, Giampaolo Morciano2, Giulia Turrin3

  • 1Department of Enviromental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
|May 31, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered new urea derivatives that inhibit the mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex (PTPC). These compounds show promise for cytoprotection in diseases involving excessive cell death, like neurodegenerative and cardiovascular conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Excessive cell death, particularly through mitochondrial permeability transition, is a key factor in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Current pharmacological treatments to counteract mitochondrial impairment and cell death are insufficient, necessitating further research.
  • The permeability transition pore complex (PTPC) is a critical target for modulating cell fate in these pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel small-molecule compounds capable of modulating PTPC activity.
  • To find potential therapeutic agents for cytoprotection in conditions characterized by excessive cell death.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of small-molecule urea derivatives.
  • Assessing the ability of compounds to inhibit PTPC opening induced by calcium overload.

Main Results:

  • Identification of specific urea derivatives that effectively inhibit PTPC opening.
  • These compounds were selected for their potential in cytoprotective applications.

Conclusions:

  • Small-molecule urea derivatives can act as inhibitors of the PTPC.
  • The identified compounds represent promising candidates for developing new cytoprotective therapies for neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseasesMitochondriaPTPCUrea derivatives

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