TSPO: functions and applications of a mitochondrial stress response pathway

The mitochondrial outer membrane protein TSPO (translocator protein) lies in a privileged position at the interface between mitochondrion and cytosol. Since the initially discovery, nearly forty years ago, it has generated major interest among various disciplines of modern experimental and applied biomedicine. The focused meeting we have organized aimed at summarizing the state of the art knowledge on TSPO and the discipline-based segregated concepts that have made this an exciting and active field of science. The scientists who have generously contributed the event have agreed to generate a special issue here published--stemmed from the discussion of the vent. This consists in a series of contributions via which the know-how is shared aiming to inspire current and future endeavours to validate and accelerate the impact of TSPO science in human pathophysiology and clinical applications.