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.

Schematic illustration of a mitochondria-specific DNA-based synthetic ligand, called MITO-PIPs that selectively read a target DNA sequence and alter gene transcription.

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

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