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Presynaptic Boutons That Contain Mitochondria Are More Stable.
Robert M Lees1, James D Johnson1, Michael C Ashby1
1School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience
|January 31, 2020
Summary
Mitochondria in brain circuits may stabilize neuronal connections. Local accumulation of mitochondria at presynaptic boutons increases bouton stability, suggesting a role in structural plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Neuronal circuits are reconfigured by changes in presynaptic terminals.
- The control mechanisms of presynaptic structural plasticity are not well understood.
- Mitochondria are known to regulate presynaptic function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between axonal mitochondria and presynaptic bouton structural plasticity.
- To determine if mitochondria presence influences bouton stability in the mouse neocortex.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of axonal mitochondria density and localization in mouse neocortex.
- Correlation of mitochondrial positioning with presynaptic bouton stability and age.
Main Results:
- Overall axonal mitochondria density did not affect bouton gain or loss.
- Mitochondrial positioning at presynaptic sites correlated with increased bouton stability.
- Synaptic mitochondria localization increased with bouton age, with distinct patterns for different bouton types.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondria accumulation at presynaptic boutons over time enhances bouton stability.
- Local mitochondrial positioning, not overall density, is key to presynaptic stability.
- This suggests a novel role for mitochondria in regulating neuronal circuit structure.
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