Does 3-Nitropropionic acid induce autophagy by forming mitochondrial permeability transition pores rather than activating the mitochondrial fission pathway?
There was a direct correlation between formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores and autophagy induced by 3NP treatment. Activation of autophagy preceded the apoptotic process and was mediated, at least partly, by formation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial permeability transition pores.
These preliminary results suggest that progesterone may provide a protective effect in fetal membrane cells and that this effect may be mediated through the progesterone receptor.