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- TRL (Technology readiness level) -
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- Titre Compounds for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases
- Description The present invention relates to the isolation and development of drugs to treat mitochondrial pathologies involving a deficiency in ATP production via the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, such as NARP syndrome.
NARP (Neuropathy, Ataxia and Retinitis Pigmentosa) is a maternally transmitted hereditary syndrome characterized by retarded development, and accompanied by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), dementia, ataxia, proximal neurological muscle weakness and sensory neuropathies. The clinical manifestations are varied and can take more or less severe forms. Thus, the ophthalmic manifestations can range from a simple "salt and pepper" changing of the retina to severe RP, accompanied by maculopathy. Similarly, there is a broad 15 spectrum of neurological manifestations, which ranges from simple migraines to severe dementia and to "Leigh's disease". Many retinitis pigmentosa related syndromes exist, such as Usher's syndrome in which both the sight and the hearing are affected, or else macular dystrophy, also called inverse RP.
- Bénéfices There is currently no effective medicament for the treatment of 15 mitochondrial disorders induced by ATP synthase dysfunctions. This is part due to the absence of a cellular model for mitochondrial mutations. In a prior work, we developed a cellular model for the NARP syndrome, consisting in yeast strains carrying within their mitochondrial genome, the equivalent of mitochondrial ATP6 gene mutations responsible for NARP syndrome in humans (see the International PCT Application WO 2007/125225 by the same team of inventors).
- Nouveauté Since 1990 the presence of the T8993G mutation in the mitochondrial DNA of patients showing NARP syndrome/Leigh's disease is known. It was subsequently been postulated that this mutation -occurring in the ATP6 subunit- resulted in a reduction in ATP synthesis by impairing the mitochondrial ATP synthase complex. The great diversity of the pathological manifestations is attributed to the heteroplasmic nature of this mutation in patients, i.e. the coexistence of mutated and wild-type mitochondrial DNA molecules in the cells or tissues. The mutated mitochondrial DNA load is closely correlated with the seriousness of the symptoms observed. The T8993G mutation associated with NARP syndrome is located within the mitochondrial ATP6 gene. The latter encodes ATP synthase subunit 6 (Atp6p) which is essential for proton transport.
- Mots clés Mitochondrial related pathologies, NARP, ATP
- Secteurs Health
