LHON primary mutations sensitize ATP synthesis to complex I inhibitor rotenone.
A high-throughput ATP synthesis-based screen was developed for LHON drug discovery.
A library of 1600 clinically used drugs was screened for repurposing.
Papaverine and zolpidem individually can rescue the rotenone sensitivity in LHON mutants.
The combination of the drugs shows an additive effect on ATP synthesis rescue.