| Literature DB >> 26551692 |
Ryan J Middleton1, Guo-Jun Liu2, Richard B Banati2.
Abstract
The highly conserved 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) or peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is being investigated as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for disease conditions ranging from inflammation to neurodegeneration and behavioural illnesses. Many functions have been attributed to TSPO/PBR including a role in the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), steroidogenesis and energy metabolism. In this review, we detail the recent developments in determining the physiological role of TSPO/PBR, specifically based on data obtained from the recently generated Tspo knockout mouse models. In addition to defining the role of TSPO/PBR, we also describe the value of Tspo knockout mice in determining the selectivity, specificity and presence of any off-target effects of TSPO/PBR ligands.Entities:
Keywords: TSPO/PBR; compound development; energy; knockout; metabolism; mitochondria
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Year: 2015 PMID: 26551692 DOI: 10.1042/BST20150039
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Biochem Soc Trans ISSN: 0300-5127 Impact factor: 5.407