Mitochondrial transport in neurons: impact on synaptic homeostasis and neurodegeneration

The distribution of mitochondria to regions of the neuron that have the greatest requirement for ATP supply maintenance and sequestration of Ca2+is essential for neuronal function. Sheng and Cai describe the molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial transport in neurons and discuss its contribution to aspects of neuronal function. Mitochondria have a number of essential roles in neuronal function. Their complex mobility patterns within neurons are characterized by frequent changes in direction. Mobile mitochondria can become stationary or pause in regions that have a high metabolic demand and can move again rapidly in response to physiological changes. Defects in mitochondrial transport are implicated in the pathogenesis of several major neurological disorders. Research into the mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial transport is thus an important emerging frontier.