MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics

Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is a pseudokinase featured by a protein kinase-like domain without catalytic activity. MLKL was originally discovered to be phosphorylated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3, typically increase plasma membrane permeabilization, and disrupt the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yang Wang, Wei Wei, Yu Zhang, Jingrong Miao, Xiaofeng Bao, Chunfeng Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1512968/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849722642968346624
author Yang Wang
Wei Wei
Yu Zhang
Jingrong Miao
Xiaofeng Bao
Chunfeng Lu
author_facet Yang Wang
Wei Wei
Yu Zhang
Jingrong Miao
Xiaofeng Bao
Chunfeng Lu
author_sort Yang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is a pseudokinase featured by a protein kinase-like domain without catalytic activity. MLKL was originally discovered to be phosphorylated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3, typically increase plasma membrane permeabilization, and disrupt the membrane integrity, ultimately executing necroptosis. Recent evidence uncovers the association of MLKL with diverse cellular organelles, including the mitochondrion, lysosome, endosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus. Thus, this review mainly focuses on the regulatory functions, mechanisms, and targets of MLKL in organelles rather than necroptosis and summarize the medical significance in multiple diseases. On this basis, we conclude and analyze the current progress and prospect for the development of MLKL-related drugs, from natural products, small-molecule chemical compounds, to proteolysis-targeting chimera. This review is aimed to propel the development of MLKL as a valid drug target and the discovery of novel MLKL-related drugs, and promote their further applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-abf5bccae3b44a82a008335aabb4842f
institution DOAJ
issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-abf5bccae3b44a82a008335aabb4842f2025-08-20T03:11:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-02-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15129681512968MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeuticsYang WangWei WeiYu ZhangJingrong MiaoXiaofeng BaoChunfeng LuMixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is a pseudokinase featured by a protein kinase-like domain without catalytic activity. MLKL was originally discovered to be phosphorylated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3, typically increase plasma membrane permeabilization, and disrupt the membrane integrity, ultimately executing necroptosis. Recent evidence uncovers the association of MLKL with diverse cellular organelles, including the mitochondrion, lysosome, endosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus. Thus, this review mainly focuses on the regulatory functions, mechanisms, and targets of MLKL in organelles rather than necroptosis and summarize the medical significance in multiple diseases. On this basis, we conclude and analyze the current progress and prospect for the development of MLKL-related drugs, from natural products, small-molecule chemical compounds, to proteolysis-targeting chimera. This review is aimed to propel the development of MLKL as a valid drug target and the discovery of novel MLKL-related drugs, and promote their further applications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1512968/fullMLKLorganelle dynamicsdisease targetsmall-molecule chemicalsnatural products
spellingShingle Yang Wang
Wei Wei
Yu Zhang
Jingrong Miao
Xiaofeng Bao
Chunfeng Lu
MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
Frontiers in Pharmacology
MLKL
organelle dynamics
disease target
small-molecule chemicals
natural products
title MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
title_full MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
title_fullStr MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
title_short MLKL as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics: regulatory mechanisms, pathophysiological significance, and targeted therapeutics
title_sort mlkl as an emerging machinery for modulating organelle dynamics regulatory mechanisms pathophysiological significance and targeted therapeutics
topic MLKL
organelle dynamics
disease target
small-molecule chemicals
natural products
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1512968/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yangwang mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics
AT weiwei mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics
AT yuzhang mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics
AT jingrongmiao mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics
AT xiaofengbao mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics
AT chunfenglu mlklasanemergingmachineryformodulatingorganelledynamicsregulatorymechanismspathophysiologicalsignificanceandtargetedtherapeutics