Drug repositioning as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerations associated with OPA1 mutations

Hum Mol Genet. 2021 Jan 21;29(22):3631-3645. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa244.

Abstract

OPA1 mutations are the major cause of dominant optic atrophy (DOA) and the syndromic form DOA plus, pathologies for which there is no established cure. We used a 'drug repurposing' approach to identify FDA-approved molecules able to rescue the mitochondrial dysfunctions induced by OPA1 mutations. We screened two different chemical libraries by using two yeast strains carrying the mgm1I322M and the chim3P646L mutations, identifying 26 drugs able to rescue their oxidative growth phenotype. Six of them, able to reduce the mitochondrial DNA instability in yeast, have been then tested in Opa1 deleted mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressing the human OPA1 isoform 1 bearing the R445H and D603H mutations. Some of these molecules were able to ameliorate the energetic functions and/or the mitochondrial network morphology, depending on the type of OPA1 mutation. The final validation has been performed in patients' fibroblasts, allowing to select the most effective molecules. Our current results are instrumental to rapidly translating the findings of this drug repurposing approach into clinical trial for DOA and other neurodegenerations caused by OPA1 mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Drug Repositioning*
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mutation / drug effects
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / drug therapy*
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / genetics
  • Optic Atrophy, Autosomal Dominant / pathology
  • Pedigree
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • OPA1 protein, human
  • Opa1 protein, mouse