Critical periods of mitochondrial structural and metabolic plasticity in Purkinje neurons (A11)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 269925409

Mitochondria are key regulators of cellular metabolism vital for the functioning and survival of neurons. To which extent mitochondrial segregation within specialized neuronal compartments (i.e., dendrites and axons) may reflect metabolically distinct functions is poorly understood. To address this question, we will examine by proteomics and metabolomics sorted mitochondrial fractions from dendritic and axonal terminals of mouse Purkinje neurons. We will then explore if functionally distinct mitochondrial pools underlie compartmentalized stress responses during disease, revealing novel aspects of metabolic vulnerability to neurodegeneration.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1218: Mitochondrial regulation of cellular function
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Dr. Elisa Motori