ATP molecules, found in the cells of all living things, provide the energy required for most cellular processes. Almost all ATP is synthesized in cellular organelles called mitochondria by a protein complex known as the mitochondrial ATP synthase. In addition to its role in ATP synthesis, this protein complex has been thought to function in a different form as the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which is involved in necrotic cell death.

Richard Kitsis, M.D., has received a four-year, $2.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct studies to better understand the functions of the mitochondrial ATP synthase. Dr. Kitsis’ lab has created the first adult mouse models with cardiomyocytes deficient in the mitochondrial ATP synthase. Dr. Kitsis will use these mice to study the role of this protein complex in cellular energetics and to test whether it also functions as the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

Dr. Kitsis is professor of medicine and of cell biology, the Dr. Gerald and Myra Dorros Chair in Cardiovascular Disease, director of the Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute at Einstein, and a cardiologist at Montefiore Health System. (1R01HL157319-01A1)