Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts: molecular hubs for neuronal regulation

• Applicant: Dr. Gabriela Plucinska
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 286590665

Mitochondria are vital organelles for all aerobic cells. Neurons, due to their complex morphology, are particularly dependent on the proper distribution of mitochondria. Using microtubules as tracks, mitochondria move along neuronal projections to provide energy to the most distal sites. To perform their function properly mitochondria associate with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. I hypothesize that specialized sites of the ER act as regulators of mitochondrial localization and are involved in establishing proper neuronal morphology. I base this hypothesis on previous evidence that calcium is one of the regulators of mitochondrial docking and the fact that ER-mitochondria contact sites are the hotspots of calcium exchange. Together this suggests that the ER is part of the machinery that captures mitochondria at specific sites in neurons. I propose a set of experiments using an ex vivo approach to visualize and manipulate the localization of ER-mitochondria contacts. Further, as mitochondria are implicated in branching patterns and neuronal development I will characterize neuronal morphology upon altered mitochondrial localization. Finally I will explore the impact of altered ER-mitochondria contacts on neuronal death and survival using one of the mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Host: Professor Casper Hoogenraad, Ph.D.