Mitochondria provide energy, buffer calcium, and sequester cell death-inducing molecules, and mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in various neuropathologies. Especially in neurons, mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly move, divide, and fuse. This proposal investigates the regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion in neurons, which are antagonistic processes carried out by large GTPases similar to dynamin. Mutations in two of these enzymes, Opal and Mfn2, are responsible for hereditary neurological diseases. While a proper balance of mitochondrial fusion and fragmentation is clearly important for neuronal survival, some fragmentation is necessary for axonal and dendritic transport of mitochondria, and consequently for the development and function of synapses. We have found that shape changes of mitochondria are controlled by an opposing protein kinase and phosphatase that are localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane via specific targeting/regulatory subunits. On the phosphatase side, Bp2 is a neuron-specific, postnatally induced protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunit mutated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 12. The alternatively spliced N terminus of Bp2 mediates translocation of the PP2A holoenzyme to the mitochondrial surface, where PP2A accelerates cell death, apparently by fragmenting mitochondria. The kinase opposing PP2A/Bp2's effect on mitochondrial morphology and survival is cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) anchored to the OMM via A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)121.
Aim 1 investigates the mechanism by which outer-mitochondrial PP2A and PKA control neuronal survival.
In Aim 2, we will identify the relevant substrates and phosphorylation sites among mitochondrial fission/fusion enzymes.
Aim 3 addresses the role of PP2A/PKA-dependent mitochondrial restructuring in the delivery of mitochondria to and development of dendritic spines. Finally, Aim 4 characterizes PP2A/Bp2 knockout mice in terms of mitochondria and synapse morphology and resistance to ischemic injury. These studies will advance our understanding of how shape transitions of mitochondria are regulated, and how this affects vulnerability of neurons and the establishment of functional connections between them. Our studies may ultimately lead to better therapies for stroke and neurodegenerative disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01NS057714-02S1
Application #
7869531
Study Section
Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death Study Section (NOMD)
Program Officer
Gwinn, Katrina
Project Start
2007-07-01
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$143,776
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Iowa
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Iowa City
State
IA
Country
United States
Zip Code
52242
Merrill, Ronald A; Strack, Stefan (2014) Mitochondria: a kinase anchoring protein 1, a signaling platform for mitochondrial form and function. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 48:92-6
Strack, Stefan; Wilson, Theodore J; Cribbs, J Thomas (2013) Cyclin-dependent kinases regulate splice-specific targeting of dynamin-related protein 1 to microtubules. J Cell Biol 201:1037-51
Merrill, Ronald A; Slupe, Andrew M; Strack, Stefan (2013) N-terminal phosphorylation of protein phosphatase 2A/B?2 regulates translocation to mitochondria, dynamin-related protein 1 dephosphorylation, and neuronal survival. FEBS J 280:662-73
Wilson, Theodore J; Slupe, Andrew M; Strack, Stefan (2013) Cell signaling and mitochondrial dynamics: Implications for neuronal function and neurodegenerative disease. Neurobiol Dis 51:13-26
Slupe, Andrew M; Merrill, Ronald A; Flippo, Kyle H et al. (2013) A calcineurin docking motif (LXVP) in dynamin-related protein 1 contributes to mitochondrial fragmentation and ischemic neuronal injury. J Biol Chem 288:12353-65
Oberg, Elizabeth A; Nifoussi, Shanna K; Gingras, Anne-Claude et al. (2012) Selective proteasomal degradation of the B'? subunit of protein phosphatase 2A by the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor Kelch-like 15. J Biol Chem 287:43378-89
Strack, Stefan; Cribbs, J Thomas (2012) Allosteric modulation of Drp1 mechanoenzyme assembly and mitochondrial fission by the variable domain. J Biol Chem 287:10990-1001
Dickey, Audrey S; Strack, Stefan (2011) PKA/AKAP1 and PP2A/B?2 regulate neuronal morphogenesis via Drp1 phosphorylation and mitochondrial bioenergetics. J Neurosci 31:15716-26
Lu, Yuan; Zha, Xiang-ming; Kim, Eun Young et al. (2011) A kinase anchor protein 150 (AKAP150)-associated protein kinase A limits dendritic spine density. J Biol Chem 286:26496-506
Bui, Michael; Gilady, Susanna Y; Fitzsimmons, Ross E B et al. (2010) Rab32 modulates apoptosis onset and mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) properties. J Biol Chem 285:31590-602

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