DeCure for Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 15
DeCure's autonomous Metabolic AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 15 — screening already-approved drugs against its 1-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleMitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 15 maps to a 1-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for mitochondrial complex iv deficiency, nuclear type 15 is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8A (COX8A) — COX8A is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet peedrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 9I6F · 2.95 Å · ligand 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PEE). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
The 2008 study on primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) found that trabecular meshwork cells from patients had higher endogenous reactive oxygen species, lower ATP levels, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential compared to cells from age-matched controls. These glaucomatous cells were more sensitive to complex I inhibition by rotenone than normal cells; rotenone further increased ROS, triggered cytochrome c release, and lowered ATP and membrane potential, leading to apoptosis. Inhibitors of complex II and III had little effect. Antioxidants vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine protected against rotenone-induced death by blocking ROS generation and cytochrome c release. The authors proposed a complex I defect in POAG, but this is a different disease and a different complex from the one in the query.
A 2001 case report described a patient with mitochondrial DNA depletion who also had partial complex II and IV deficiencies and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. Complex II deficiency had not been previously seen in mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes. The report noted that 3-methylglutaconic and 3-methylglutaric acidurias might be useful indicators of respiratory chain dysfunction from mtDNA depletion. This is a single case, not a trial, and the deficiencies are partial and involve complexes II and IV, not the isolated complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 15 specified in the query.
A 2024 review of nuclear gene variants causing mitochondrial complex III deficiency states that these disorders are the least common among primary mitochondrial diseases. The review summarises that the number of identified pathological variants has expanded with next-generation sequencing, but it provides no specific survival or response rates, no sample sizes, and no mention of any drug treatment. It does not address complex IV deficiency at all.
No abstract in the provided set describes a treatment or clinical trial for mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 15. There is no evidence for any drug effect on that specific condition. What is missing is any clinical trial, any patient-derived cell work for this exact genotype, any drug screening, and any funding for such studies. Patient stratification by the specific nuclear gene involved would be required before any therapy could be tested.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Mitochondrial Complex I Defect Induces ROS Release and Degeneration in Trabecular Meshwork Cells of POAG Patients: Protection by Antioxidants
AbstractPURPOSE: There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The authors provide evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is a possible mechanism for the loss of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in persons with POAG. METHODS: TM from patients with POAG (GTM) and age-matched subjects without disease (NTM) were obtained by standard surgical trabeculectomy. Primary TM cultures were treated with one of the following mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors: rotenone (ROT, complex I inhibitor), thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA, complex II inhibitor), myxothiazol or antimycin A (MYX, AM-complex III inhibitors); mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) inhibitor cyclosporine A (CsA); and antioxidants vitamin E (Vit E) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Mitochondrial function was determined by changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production with the fluorescent probes 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1'3,3'-tetraethylbenzimid azolocarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) and a luciferin/luciferase-based ATP assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, determined by H(2)-DCF-DA, and cell death, measured by lactate dehydrogenase activity and Annexin V-FITC labeling, were also examined. RESULTS: GTM cells have higher endogenous ROS levels, lower ATP levels, and decreased Delta Psi m and they are more sensitive to mitochondrial complex I inhibition than their normal counterparts. ROT induces a further increase in ROS production, the release of cytochrome c, and decreases in ATP level and Delta Psi m in GTM cells, eventually leading to apoptosis. Complex II and III inhibition had little effect on the cells. Antioxidants protect against ROT-induced death by inhibiting ROS generation and cytochrome c release. CONCLUSIONS: The authors propose that a mitochondrial complex I defect is associated with the degeneration of TM cells in patients with POAG, and antioxidants and MPT inhibitors can reduce the progression of this condition.
Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Associated With Partial Complex II and IV Deficiencies and 3-Methylglutaconic Aciduria
AbstractWe report a patient with mitochondrial DNA depletion, partial complex II and IV deficiencies, and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. Complex II deficiency has not been previously observed in mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes. The observation of 3-methylglutaconic and 3-methylglutaric acidurias may be a useful indicator of a defect in respiratory chain function caused by mitochondrial DNA depletion.
AbstractMitochondrial disorders are a group of clinically and biochemically heterogeneous genetic diseases within the group of inborn errors of metabolism. Primary mitochondrial diseases are mainly caused by defects in one or several components of the oxidative phosphorylation system (complexes I-V). Within these disorders, those associated with complex III deficiencies are the least common. However, thanks to a deeper knowledge about complex III biogenesis, improved clinical diagnosis and the implementation of next-generation sequencing techniques, the number of pathological variants identified in nuclear genes causing complex III deficiency has expanded significantly. This updated review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the genetic basis of complex III deficiency, and the main clinical features associated with these conditions.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025 · 3 citations · open access
Advances in Management of Mitochondrial Myopathies
AbstractMitochondria, the energy factories of human organisms, can be the cause of a variety of genetic disorders called mitochondrial myopathies. Mitochondrial diseases arise from genetic alterations in either mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA) and can manifest with great heterogeneity, leading to multiorgan dysfunction. The purpose of this article is to concisely review the pathophysiology, genetics and main clinical features of mitochondrial myopathies, focusing mainly on the treatment and management of these disorders. Currently, a particular treatment for mitochondrial myopathies does not exist, while the available guidelines concerning management are based on experts' opinions. The therapeutic options currently applied largely aim at symptom relief and amelioration of patients' quality of life. The most commonly used regimens involve the administration of vitamins and cofactors, although hard evidence regarding their true benefit for patients is still lacking. Recent studies have demonstrated promising results for elamipretide; however, phase III clinical trials are still ongoing. Regarding patient management, a multidisciplinary approach with the collaboration of different specialties is required. Further clinical trials for the already applied treatment options, as well as on novel experimental therapies, are of utmost importance in order to improve patients' outcomes.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.
