title: Mitochondrial trafficking and anchoring in neurons: New insight and implications.
abstract: Mitochondria are essential organelles for neuronal growth, survival, and function. Neurons use specialized mechanisms to drive mitochondria transport and to anchor them in axons and at synapses. Stationary mitochondria buffer intracellular Ca(2+) and serve as a local energy source by supplying ATP. The balance between motile and stationary mitochondria responds quickly to changes in axonal and synaptic physiology. Defects in mitochondrial transport are implicated in the pathogenesis of several major neurological disorders. Recent work has provided new insight in the regulation of microtubule-based mitochondrial trafficking and anchoring, and on how mitochondrial motility influences neuron growth, synaptic function, and mitophagy.
authors.affiliation: Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: Zu-Hang
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D048430:Cell Shape; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D063306:Mitophagy; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission