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Neuronal mitochondria transport Pink1 mRNA via synaptojanin 2 to support local mitophagy

Angelika B Harbauer1, J Tabitha Hees2, Simone Wanderoy2

  • 1F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany; Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Straße 29, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 17, 81377 Munich, Germany.

Neuron
|February 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Local translation of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) mRNA near mitochondria enables mitophagy in neurons. This process ensures damaged mitochondria removal in distal neurites, crucial for neuronal health.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics

Background:

  • PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) is vital for mitophagy, the process of removing damaged mitochondria.
  • PINK1's short half-life hinders its transport to neuronal processes, limiting mitophagy far from the cell body.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism enabling active mitophagy in distal neuronal compartments.
  • To understand how PINK1 is supplied to distant mitochondria for efficient damage removal.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Pink1 transcript localization and cotransport with neuronal mitochondria.
  • Investigation of the role of synaptojanin 2 binding protein (SYNJ2BP) and synaptojanin 2 (SYNJ2) in mRNA tethering.
  • Study of local translation of PINK1 in neurons.

Main Results:

  • The Pink1 transcript is cotransported with neuronal mitochondria.
  • SYNJ2BP and SYNJ2 tether Pink1 mRNA to mitochondria via an RNA-binding domain in SYNJ2.
  • Local translation of PINK1 occurs on mitochondria in neurons.

Conclusions:

  • Neurons utilize a specialized mechanism for local PINK1 translation on mitochondria.
  • This adaptation ensures a continuous supply of PINK1 to distal mitochondria, supporting mitophagy.
  • This process is essential for maintaining neuronal health by clearing damaged mitochondria in neurites.
Keywords:
OMP25PINK1Parkinson diseaseRNA transportSYNJ2BPhitchhikinglocal translationmitophagysynaptojanin2

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