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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Imaging and Quantifying Mitochondrial Morphology in C. elegans During Aging
Published on: January 17, 2025
MEC-12/alpha tubulin regulates mitochondrial distribution and mitophagy during oxidative stress in C. elegans
Fivos Borbolis1, Myrsini Kteniadaki1,2, Konstantinos Palikaras1
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Mitophagy, the selective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, is pivotal for the maintenance of neuronal function and survival. MEC-12/α-tubulin contributes to neuronal physiology through the regulation of microtubule assembly, intracellular transport and mitochondrial distribution. However, its role in mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate that MEC-12 influences mitochondrial morphology under basal conditions and regulates the axonal mitochondrial population. Impairment of MEC-12 results in compromised axonal mitophagy under both basal conditions and oxidative stress. Our results uncover the critical role of MEC-12/α-tubulin for maintaining a healthy mitochondrial population in axons and highlight the complex interplay between microtubules, mitophagy and neuronal health.
Insights
MEC-12/α-tubulin is crucial for neuronal health by regulating mitophagy, the process of clearing damaged mitochondria. Its impairment compromises mitochondrial quality control in axons, impacting neuronal survival.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Dynamics
Background:
- Mitophagy is essential for neuronal survival by removing dysfunctional mitochondria.
- MEC-12/α-tubulin is involved in microtubule assembly and intracellular transport in neurons.
- The specific role of MEC-12 in mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MEC-12/α-tubulin in mitochondrial morphology and axonal mitophagy.
- To determine if MEC-12 affects mitochondrial populations under basal and stress conditions.
Main Methods:
- Assessing mitochondrial morphology in neurons with varying MEC-12 levels.
- Evaluating axonal mitophagy efficiency under basal and oxidative stress conditions.
- Analyzing the impact of MEC-12 impairment on mitochondrial distribution and quality.
Main Results:
- MEC-12 influences mitochondrial shape and regulates the number of mitochondria in neuronal axons.
- Reduced MEC-12 function leads to impaired mitophagy in axons, both normally and during oxidative stress.
- MEC-12 is critical for maintaining a healthy mitochondrial population within axons.
Conclusions:
- MEC-12/α-tubulin plays a vital role in axonal mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control.
- The study reveals a significant link between microtubule dynamics, mitophagy, and overall neuronal health.
- MEC-12 is a key factor in preserving mitochondrial function for neuronal survival.
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