MITOCHONDRIA AS CELL TARGETS OF AZT (ZIDOVUDINE)

1. The subject of this review is the interact:ion between AZT (zidovud ine) and mitochondria as described in papers dealing with AZT therapy both in AIDS patients and in model systems-that is, in cultured cells and in isolated mitochondria. 2. The structure and function of mitocho ndria are briefly described with discussion of the theoretical frame f or a detailed bioenergetic investigation. 3. Experimental work is repo rted showing that mitochondria are cell AZT targets: changes in the st ructure and function induced by long-term AZT therapy as investigated both in AIDS patients and in model systems. 4. The AZT inhibition of e nergy-supplying reactions is considered in detail in studies dealing w ith long-term treatment and studies in which AZT was added to isolated mitochondria. In particular, adenylate kinase, ADP/ATP translocase an d DNA polymerase gamma are reported as molecular targets of AZT. 5. So me perspectives of AZT therapy from the study of the effect of AZT on mitochondrion biochemistry are briefly reported. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Inc.