The human brain is an organ that takes nearly from 20 to 25% of the energy the body needs. This high energy demand for neuronal functions depends on the transport and precise distribution of mitochondria — the energy-generating cell organelles — in each neuron. Now, a study published in the journal Science Signaling has identified, for the first time, a molecular complex that regulates the transport of mitochondria within neurons and neuronal death. The discovery of the complex, exclusively present in the most evolved mammals, could help to locate new therapeutic targets against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, neuromuscular diseases or even some types of tumours.
The study, conducted on animal models and cell cultures, is led by Professor Eduardo Soriano, from the University of Barcelona and the Institute of Neurosciences of the UB (UBneuro), and the Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), and researcher Anna MarĂa Aragay, member of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC).
The article, whose first authors are Ismael Izquierdo-Villalba (IBMB-CSIC), Serena Mirra and Yasmina Manso (UB-CIBERNED), includes the participation of Adolfo LĂłpez de Munain, from the University Hospital of Donostia, Xavier Navarro, from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), both members of CIBERNED, and JosĂ© Antonio EnrĂquez, collaborator at the Biomedical Networking Research on Fragility and Healthy Ageing (CIBERFES) and the National Centre of Cardiovascular Research Carlos III (CNIC).
Bringing energy for neuronal functions
In neurons, the transport process of mitochondria is