Regulatory mechanism for the uniform distribution of stationary mitochondria in axons

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06889
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46020:Anatomy and histopathology of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Konishi Yoshiyuki 福井大学, 学術研究院工学系部門, 教授 (00382838)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 軸索 / ミトコンドリア / ATP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To ensure proper transmission of signals in the brain, the morphology of neuronal axons needs to be maintained. Within these axons, stationary mitochondria play a crucial role in sustaining axon morphology by locally supplying necessary ATP. Thus, it was hypothesized that there is a system regulating the distribution of stationary mitochondria. This study revealed that in axons devoid of structures like synapses or myelin sheaths, stationary mitochondria are not randomly distributed but rather evenly spread through a mechanism where they regulate each other's movement via ATP produced, thereby ensuring uniform distribution.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果により、軸索形態を維持する上で必要な新しい細胞内システムが明かとなった。この新規の細胞内システムは、軸索内の効率的なエネルギー供給を可能にし、軸索の形態維持に非常に重要な役割を担うと考えられる。このような細胞内システムの破綻は、軸索機能の異常を伴う様々な神経疾患の進行に関わる可能性があり、本研究で得られた知見は、これまでにない新たな病態モデルの構築や診断法の確立につながる可能性が期待される。