title: An ex vivo model for studying mitochondrial trafficking in neurons.
abstract: Distribution of mitochondria throughout the cytoplasm is necessary for cellular function and health. Due to their unique, highly polarized morphology, neurons are particularly vulnerable to defects of mitochondrial transport, and its disruption can contribute to neuropathology. In this chapter, we present an ex vivo method for monitoring mitochondrial transport within myelinated sensory and motor axons from spinal nerve roots. This approach can be used to investigate mitochondrial behavior under a number of experimental conditions, e.g., by applying ion channel modulators, ionophores, or toxins, as well as for testing the therapeutic potential of new strategies targeting axonal mitochondrial dynamics.
authors: Institute for Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany, elena.bros@charite.de.
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Bros
authors: Raluca
authors: R
authors: Niesner
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Infante-Duarte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D001692:Biological Transport; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism; D059008:Time-Lapse Imaging / Q000379:methods