MitIon Consortium: Mitochondrial Ion Signaling in Cancer: A Paradigm for Targeted Therapy
Coordinator of the consortium: Maxime Gueguinou, Niche, Nutrition, Cancer & Oxidative metabolism (N2COX) / INSERM, University of Tours - FR
Summary
The MitIon Consortium (Mitochondrial Ion Signaling in Cancer: A Paradigm for Targeted Therapy) aims to unite the medicinal chemistry and cancer ion signaling communities to chart the course for pharmacologically targeting mitochondrial ion signaling, thus eradicating cancer cells. Mitochondria, often called the "powerhouse of the cell," play crucial roles in energy production, cell metabolism, and signaling. The integrity of mitochondrial function relies heavily on regulating ion transport across mitochondrial membranes, which maintains the electrochemical proton gradient essential for cellular processes. Disruptions in ion homeostasis within mitochondria have been implicated in aberrant cell functions and disease pathology, garnering increased attention in recent years. Importantly, many ion channels and exchangers exhibit differential expression or regulation in cancer cells compared to healthy counterparts. Given their pivotal role in cellular metabolism, mitochondria serve as critical hubs driving tumor cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Manipulating ion fluxes across mitochondrial membranes emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy for inducing cell death in various cancers. By perturbing ion fluxes, alterations in redox state, membrane potential, and bioenergetic efficiency can be induced, leading to tumor cell demise. Over a span of two years, the consortium aims to forge robust collaborations among five European partners, comprising cancer biologists and medical chemists. The primary objectives include identifying key mitochondrial ionic targets in cancer and devising innovative tools to target them precisely. The accomplishments of the consortium will not only propel scientific discoveries but also establish a solid foundation for future collaborations and the development of larger European networks in cancer research and therapy.
