The Emerging Role of Mitochondria in Neurobiology

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 1712

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra (UC), Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: cell biology; cell signaling; mitochondria; neurosciences; regenerative medicine; toxicology
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Guest Editor
Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: mitochondrial metabolism; mitochondrial dysfunction; therapeutics; sirtuins

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to announce a forthcoming Special Issue dedicated to exploring “The Emerging Role of Mitochondria in Neurobiology”. Mitochondria, often recognised as the powerhouse of the cell, have increasingly been identified as crucial players in neurobiological processes. This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research that elucidates the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in neural function, development, and disease.

We invite contributions investigating mitochondrial dynamics, bioenergetics, and their regulatory mechanisms within the nervous system. Submissions exploring how mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., AD, PD, and ALS) are particularly welcome. Additionally, we seek studies on mitochondrial involvement in neural plasticity, synaptic function, and neurogenesis.

This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of mitochondrial research in neurobiology, highlighting novel discoveries and technological advancements. We encourage the submission of original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of mitochondrial roles in the realm of neural health and disease.

Join us in this endeavour to advance our knowledge of mitochondrial function in the nervous system and its implications for neurobiology. 

Dr. Filipe V. Duarte
Dr. Claudia Deus
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mitochondrial dynamics
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • neuronal bioenergetics
  • synaptic function
  • neurogenesis
  • neuronal plasticity

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

21 pages, 1698 KiB  
Review
Mitochondrial Dynamics and mRNA Translation: A Local Synaptic Tale
by Marta Zaninello, Pedro Baptista and Filipe V. Duarte
Biology 2024, 13(9), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090746 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can adjust and respond to different stimuli within a cell. This plastic ability allows them to effectively coordinate several cellular functions in cells and becomes particularly relevant in highly complex cells such as neurons. An imbalance in mitochondrial [...] Read more.
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can adjust and respond to different stimuli within a cell. This plastic ability allows them to effectively coordinate several cellular functions in cells and becomes particularly relevant in highly complex cells such as neurons. An imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics can disrupt mitochondrial function, leading to abnormal cellular function and ultimately to a range of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Regulation of mRNA transport and local translation inside neurons is crucial for maintaining the proteome of distal mitochondria, which is vital for energy production and synaptic function. A significant portion of the axonal transcriptome is dedicated to mRNAs for mitochondrial proteins, emphasizing the importance of local translation in sustaining mitochondrial function in areas far from the cell body. In neurons, local translation and the regulation of mRNAs encoding mitochondrial-shaping proteins could be essential for synaptic plasticity and neuronal health. The dynamics of these mRNAs, including their transport and local translation, may influence the morphology and function of mitochondria, thereby affecting the overall energy status and responsiveness of synapses. Comprehending the mitochondria-related mRNA regulation and local translation, as well as its influence on mitochondrial morphology near the synapses will help to better understand neuronal physiology and neurological diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired synaptic plasticity play a central role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Emerging Role of Mitochondria in Neurobiology)
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