Peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites in platelets of patients affected by mitochondrial diseases and large scale mitochondrial DNA rearrangements

Background: The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) are localized on the outer mitochondrial membrane, as a constituent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-pore. Among its hypothesized functions, the regulation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and apoptosis have been suggested; in addition alterations of PBR site density have been shown in some neuropathologic conditions with putative mitochondrial involvement. The aim of this work has been to evaluate PBR kinetic binding parameters in platelets from patients affected by mitochondrial disorders (MD) with large-scale mitochondrial DNA deletions and reduced cytochrome c oxidase activity. Materials and Methods: Using the specific PBR radioligand [H-3] PK 11195, the kinetic binding parameters of PBR sites were determined in platelet membrane of 15 healthy subjects and 11 patients affected by different form of MD. Results: Significant changes of dissociation constant (K-d) and maximal number of binding sites (B-max) values were evidenced in platelets of patients versus controls. in all patients the B-max values were decreased (2387.0 +/- 305.6 fmol/mg proteins versus 4889.0 +/- 357.8 fmol/mg proteins, p < 0.05), whereas the K-d values were higher in patients than controls (13.18 +/- 2.06 nM versus 5.63 +/- 0.46 nM, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These data suggest that the kinetic binding parameters of PBR are altered in MD and that the observed changes might be related to the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with MD.