Expression and subcellular localization of mitochondrial docking protein, syntaphilin, in oligodendrocytes and CNS myelin sheath

Abstract Oligodendrocytes produce lipid‐rich myelin sheaths that provide metabolic support to the underlying axon and facilitate saltatory conduction. Oligodendrocyte mitochondria supply the bulk of energy and carbon‐chain backbones required for lipid synthesis. The sparsity of mitochondria in the myelin sheath suggests that tight regulation of mitochondrial trafficking is crucial for their efficient distribution in the cell. In particular, retention of mitochondria at axoglial junctions would support local lipid synthesis and membrane remodeling during myelination. How mitochondrial docking in oligodendrocytes is regulated is not known. Our findings indicate that syntaphilin (SNPH), a mitochondrial docking protein that has been characterized in neurons, is expressed by oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and mature oligodendrocytes in vitro and present in the myelin sheath in vivo. We have previously reported that bath application of netrin‐1 promotes the elaboration of myelin basic protein‐positive membranes, and that localized presentation of a netrin‐1 coated microbead results in rapid accumulation of mitochondria at the site of oligodendrocyte‐bead adhesion. Here we show that netrin‐1 increases the redistribution of SNPH to oligodendrocyte processes during the expansion of myelin basic protein‐positive membranes and that SNPH clusters at the oligodendrocyte plasma membrane at sites of adhesion with netrin‐1‐coated beads where mitochondria are retained. These findings suggest roles for SNPH in oligodendrocytes regulating netrin‐1‐mediated mitochondrial docking and myelin membrane expansion.