The Potential Use of PGC-1α and PGC-1β to Protect the Retina by Stimulating Mitochondrial Repair

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016:854:403-9. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-17121-0_53.

Abstract

Damage to mitochondria is a common mechanism of cell death in inherited neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, mitochondrial protection and mitochondrial repair are promising strategies to induce retinal neuroprotection. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-α (PGC-1α) and β (PGC-1β) are transcriptional coactivators that are the main regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis. We propose that PGC-1α and PGC-1β could play a role in regulating retina cell survival, and may be important therapeutic targets to prevent retinal degeneration.

Keywords: Mitochondrial biogenesis; Neuroprotection; PGC-1alpha; PGC-1beta; Retina.

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Organelle Biogenesis
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Retinal Degeneration / genetics
  • Retinal Degeneration / metabolism
  • Retinal Degeneration / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • PPARGC1A protein, human
  • PPARGC1B protein, human
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Transcription Factors