Accessing DNA in the cell’s powerhouse to treat disease
A new molecule that reads mitochondrial DNA could pave the way to treat some genetic nerve and muscle diseases.
![](https://www.icems.kyoto-u.ac.jp/_wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pandian_mito.jpg)
Most DNA is found in the nucleus. But mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses, also host a small amount of DNA. Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PIPs) are capable of crossing the nuclear membrane to bind to nuclear DNA, but are incapable of crossing the mitochondrial membrane.
A team, led by Ganesh Pandian Namasivayam, from Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (iCeMS) succeeded to re-direct PIP to cross the mitochondrial membrane so that it can access its DNA and alter gene transcription.
Further details are available at the following page:
Kyoto University: Accessing DNA in the cell’s powerhouse to treat disease