Shedding light on the mitochondrial permeability transition

The mitochondrial permeability transition is an increase of permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane to ions and solutes with an exclusion size of about 1500 Da. It is generally accepted that the permeability transition is due to opening of a high-conductance channel, the permeability transition pore. Although the molecular nature of the permeability transition pore remains undefined, a great deal is known about its regulation and role in pathophysiology. This review specifically covers the characterization of the permeability transition pore by chemical modification of specific residues through photoirradiation of mitochondria after treatment with porphyrins. The review also illustrates the basic principles of the photodynamic effect and the mechanisms of phototoxicity and discusses the unique properties of singlet oxygen generated by specific porphyrins in discrete mitochondrial domains. These experiments provided remarkable information on the role, interactions and topology of His and Cys residues in permeability transition pore modulation and defined an important role for the outer membrane 18 kDa translocator protein (formerly known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in regulation of the permeability transition.

► The permeability transition pore (PTP) is an inner membrane mitochondrial channel.
► The PTP is a major target in degenerative disease.
► The photodynamic effect is a useful tool to study biological systems.
► The use of dicarboxylic porphyrins and light allowed to dissect regulatory sites of the PTP.
► This review is a synthesis of the photodynamic approach applied to the PTP.