Cited by 924Mitochondrial Function and PathologyHereditary Neurological DisordersAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

Mitochondrial fusion protects against neurodegeneration in the cerebellum

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Chen, Hsiuchen, McCaffery, J. Michael, Chan, David C.·2007·Cell

Abstract

Mutations in the mitochondrial fusion gene Mfn2 cause the human neurodegenerative disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2A. However, the cellular basis underlying this relationship is poorly understood. By removing Mfn2 from the cerebellum, we established a model for neurodegeneration caused by loss of mitochondrial fusion. During development and after maturity, Purkinje cells require Mfn2 but not Mfn1 for dendritic outgrowth, spine formation, and cell survival. In vivo, cell culture, and electron microscopy studies indicate that mutant Purkinje cells have aberrant mitochondrial distribution, ultrastructure, and electron transport chain activity. In fibroblasts lacking mitochondrial fusion, the majority of mitochondria lack mitochondrial DNA nucleoids. This deficiency provides a molecular mechanism for the dependence of respiratory activity on mitochondrial fusion. Our results show that exchange of mitochondrial contents is important for mitochondrial function as well as organelle distribution in neurons and have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration due to perturbations in mitochondrial fusion.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2007.06.026

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Authors
Chen, H., McCaffery, J. M., & Chan, D. C.
Affiliations
  • California Institute of Technology (US)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Chan, David C.
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-08
Volume
130
Issue
3
Pages
548-562
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2024595059
Cited by
924
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 69 · 2017: 53 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 92
FWCI
18.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM062967, GM062967)
  • National Center for Research Resources (S10RR021023, S10RR019409, S10RR023454, S10RR022588)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Hereditary Neurological Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
mitochondrial fusion, mitofusin 2, Mfn1, neurodegeneration, cerebellum, Purkinje cells, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A, mitochondrial distribution, electron transport chain, dendritic outgrowth, spine formation
MeSH terms
Animals, Cerebellum, Intracellular Membranes, Membrane Fusion, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mitochondria, Purkinje Cells, Mice, Knockout, Neurodegenerative Diseases, GTP Phosphohydrolases, Mice

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