Neurocompute Narrative Velocity Map
NEUROCOMPUTE VISUAL SYSTEM

Open the Narrative
Velocity Map

Explore the Parkinson’s research intelligence diagram before entering the Neurocompute platform.

NC
Neurocompute
AI Parkinson’s Intelligence Terminal
RESEARCH PAPER

Inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier attenuates the integrated stress response activation in a cellular model of Huntington's disease.

PMID
42165998
Journal
Molecular and cellular biochemistry
Publication Date
2026-05-21
Grade
U

AI Summary

Why It Matters

Abstract

Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) inhibition was found protective in models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. However, little is known about MPC as a potential therapeutic target in Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder with dysregulation of the pro-survival pathway integrated stress response (ISR). Here, we investigate if MPC inhibition modulates the ISR and mitigates mutant huntingtin (mut-Htt) proteotoxicity in a cellular HD model. We treated cells expressing N-terminal fragments of wild-type- (wt-) or mut-Htt with two MPC inhibitors (mitoglitazone and UK5099) or solvent control. Metabolism was assessed analysing resazurin reduction, oxygen consumption, extracellular acidification, and ATP levels. ISR activation and huntingtin proteostasis were assessed using western-blot and filter-trap assays. Mut-Htt-expressing cells showed decreased resazurin reduction and ATP levels, and increased eIF2α phosphorylation, indicating metabolic stress and ISR activation. MPC inhibitors (100 µM) increased resazurin reduction and decreased respiration. The latter was rescued by the membrane-permeant methyl pyruvate, which bypasses MPC inhibition. In wt-Htt-expressing cells, MPC inhibitors increased levels of ATP and ISR markers, suggesting metabolic adaptation and ISR activation. In mut-Htt-expressing cells, MPC inhibitors preserved ATP levels and attenuated mut-Htt-induced eIF2α phosphorylation but without changing soluble or aggregated mut-Htt levels. This work showed that MPC inhibition differentially modulates the ISR: it activates ISR in control cells and attenuates overactive ISR in mut-Htt-expressing cells. However, MPC inhibition did not impact the proteostasis of N-terminal fragment mut-Htt. Further studies are essential to explore MPC inhibition in less severe full-length mut-Htt-expressing models to better understand its therapeutic potential in HD.

Score Breakdown

AI Score
-
Base Score
-
Rank Score
-
Narrative Velocity
-
AI Confidence
-
Neurocompute Parkinson’s Narrative Velocity Infographic
NEUROCOMPUTE VISUAL SYSTEM

Open the Narrative Velocity Map

Explore the full Parkinson’s research intelligence diagram.

Expand Intelligence View →
Full Neurocompute Infographic
Full Neurocompute Infographic