TSPO and Brain Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

The TSPO (translocator protein) was discovered in the early 1970s. It is becoming more and more understood that the TSPO can be targeted to treat neurological disorders (diseases as well as injuries). TSPO appears to modulate the generation of various molecules, as well as the transport of such  molecules over the outer mitochondrial membrane, for example, Ca++, ATP, ROS, cholesterol, tetrapyrroles, and cytochrome c. These molecules play a part in the regulation of programmed cell death, gene expression, and metabolism. Furthermore, the TSPO regulates inflammation and immune responses, as well as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and adhesion. These are all essential functions related to the various brain disorders and their healing. To address associated questions regarding these functions, including their roles in neurological disorders, numerous synthetic TSPO ligands have been designed, generally based on the tricyclic structure of benzodiazepines. Actually, that was how TSPO was discovered, serendipitously, as the benzodiazepine diazepam was found to bind to an unknown protein present outside the brain. Hence, TSPO’s early name was the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor. Now, we are starting to understand that synthetic and natural ligands bind to various sites on the TSPO. Hopefully, the expansion of our knowledge on TSPO will lead to novel treatments for various brain disorders. Submissions dealing with all of these topics are welcome.

Dr. Leo Veenman
Prof. Moshe Gavish
Prof. Dr. Abraham Weizman
Guest Editors

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