Preparation and evaluation of potential drugs inhibiting mitochondrial enzymes

Abstract

Preparation and evaluation of potential drugs inhibiting mitochondrial enzymes Summary in English Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of senile dementia worldwide. Despite being subject to intensive research, the pathogenic mechanisms of AD are still not fully understood and consequently an effective treatment is yet to be developed. Although the aetiology of AD is still unknown, a build-up of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) is considered to play an important role in disease progression. The original amyloid cascade hypothesis proposed that insoluble extracellular plaques were responsible for the majority of Aβ toxicity. This hypothesis has since been refined, as recent data indicates that soluble intracellular oligomers are now responsible for the majority of Aβ induced toxic effects. The mitochondrial dysfunction also plays an important role in the pathophysiology of AD. Aβ was detected inside mitochondria and several mitochondrial proteins were found to interact directly with Aβ. Such interactions can affect a protein's function and cause damage to the mitochondria, which finally results in progression of AD. The background for the experimental part of this dissertation thesis was literature review summarizing current knowledge on mitochondrial proteins directly interacting with Aβ in order to..