A Small-Molecule Drug for the Self-Checking of Mitophagy.

ABSTRACT: Mitophagy, particularly in the context of drugs that disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), represents a critical focus in pharmacology. However, the discovery and evaluation of MMP-disrupting drugs are often hampered using commercially available marker molecules that target similar or identical zones. These markers can significantly interfere with, obscure, or amplify the functional effects of MMP-targeting drugs, frequently leading to clinical failures. In response to this challenge, we propose a "one-two punch" drug design strategy that integrates both target-zone drug functionality and non-target zone biological reporting within a single small-molecule drug. We have developed a novel proof-of-concept mitophagy self-check drug (MitoSC) that exhibits dual-color and dual-localiza

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11894447 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature