The potential use of PGC-1α and PGC-1β to protect the retina by stimulating mitochondrial repair

Abstract

Damage to mitochondria is a common mechanism of cell death in inherited neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, mitochondrial protection and mitochondrial repair are promising strategies to induce retinal neuroprotection. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-α (PGC-1α) and β (PGC-1β) are transcriptional coactivators that are the main regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis. We propose that PGC-1α and PGC-1β could play a role in regulating retina cell survival, and may be important therapeutic targets to prevent retinal degeneration.