Recent advances in, and challenges of, designing OMA1 drug screens.

ABSTRACT: The proteases of the mitochondrial inner membrane are challenging yet highly desirable drug targets for complex, multifactorial diseases prevalent mainly in the elderly. Among them, OMA1 with its substrates OPA1 and DELE1 safeguards mitochondrial homeostasis at the intersection of energy metabolism and apoptosis, which may have relevance for neurodegeneration, malignancy and heart failure, among other diseases. Little is known about OMA1. Its structure has not been solved and we are just beginning to understand the enzyme's context-dependent regulation. OMA1 appears dormant under physiological conditions as judged by OPA1's processing pattern. The protease is rapidly activated, however, when cells experience stress or undergo apoptosis. Intriguingly, genetic OMA1 ablation can delay or even

SUBMITTER: Alavi MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8923697 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature