VDAC as a Potential Target in Huntingtons Disease Therapy: The State of the Art

Andonis Karachitos, Daria G

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly evident that mitochondria dysfunction plays an important role in pathogenesis of Huntington’s disease (HD). However, the underlying mechanism is still needs to be explained. The crucial aspect of the explanation is to indicate the upstream events in mitochondria dysfunction that could contribute to HD. In the review we propose the defect of voltage-dependent anion-selective channel (VDAC), as a causative event in HDrelated mitochondria dysfunction. Thus, we propose to consider VDAC as a crucial element in HD etiology and consequently as a reasonable target for therapeutic interventions in HD, based on developing novel therapeutic strategies eliminating mitochondria dysfunction.