Cationic derivative of plastoquinone (visomitin), the first mitochondria-targeted medicine available in drugstores
Pr Vladimir Skulachev, from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia will present his recent researches about a concept was put forward considering mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) as key intermediates of programmed aging of organism during the 3rd World Congress on Targeting Mitochondria, which will be held in Berlin on November 8-9, 2012.
As a consequence of such a concept, it was suggested that aging program can be retarded (or even switched off) by mitochondria-targeted antioxidants.
To this end, SkQ1 was synthesized. It was shown that SkQ1:
- is good penetrant for model and mitochondrial membranes,
- has very high affinity to membranes,
- is reduced by center i of Complex III of mitochondrial respiratory chain in the inner leaflet of the inner mitochondrial membrane,
- electrophoretically accumulates in this leaflet, being driven by respiratory membrane potential,
- prevents peroxidation of mitochondrial cardiolipin by mROS,
- arrests the ROS-induced apoptosis and necrosis,
- prolongs the lifespan of various organisms (from fungi to mammals),
- retards development of many traits of age-related diseases.
To know more about this exciting project, come and join us during Targeting Mitochondria 2012.
www.targeting-mitochondria.com
