Protein kinase C is a key target for attenuation of Leigh syndrome by rapamycin

Leigh syndrome is a fatal neurometabolic disorder caused by defects in mitochondrial function. mTOR inhibition with rapamycin attenuates disease progression in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome (Ndufs4 KO mouse); however, the mechanism of rescue is unknown. Here we assessed the impact of rapamycin on the brain proteome and phosphoproteome of Ndufs4 KO mice. We report that rapamycin remodels the brain proteome to alter mitochondrial structure, inhibits signaling through both mTOR complexes, and inhibits multiple protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. Administration of PKC inhibitors was sufficient to increase survival, delay neurological deficits, and prevent hair loss in Ndufs4 KO mice. Thus, PKC may be a viable therapeutic target for treating severe mitochondrial disease.