Targeting the mitochondrial genome via a dual function MITO-Porter: evaluation of mtDNA levels and mitochondrial function.

Genetic mutations and defects in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are associated with certain types of mitochondrial dysfunction, ultimately resulting in the occurrence of a variety of human diseases. For an effective mitochondrial gene therapy, it will be necessary to deliver therapeutic agents to the innermost mitochondrial space (the mitochondrial matrix), which contains the mtDNA pool. We recently developed a MITO-Porter, a liposome-based nano-carrier that delivers cargo to mitochondria via a membrane-fusion mechanism. Using propidium iodide, as a probe to detect mtDNA, we were able to confirm that the MITO-Porter delivered cargoes to mitochondrial matrices in living cells. More recently, we constructed a Dual Function (DF)-MITO-Porter, a liposome-based nanocarrier for mitochondrial delivery via a stepwise process. In this chapter, we describe the methodology used to deliver bioactive molecules to the mitochondrial matrix using the above DF-MITO-Porter, and the evaluation of mtDNA levels and mitochondrial activities in living cells.