Project Description

Recent investigations have emphasized the importance of the mitochondria in the regulation of cell death or survival during cardiac ischemia. Of particular interest has been the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore, a multiprotein complex at the mitochondria involved in apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Opening of the MPT pore leads to mitochondrial swelling and ultimately rupture and to the release of apoptotic signaling factors. Our laboratory is interested in defining the signaling mechanisms that regulate the function of the MPT pore and that reduce the likelihood of MPT during ischemia/reperfusion injury.