Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Mitochondria are considered as the power plants of cells, converting nutrients (like carbohydrates and lipids) into cellular energetic fuel. These tiny engines form a network inside the cell, and individual mitochondria can divide, or fuse together to become either smaller or elongated. The shape of mitochondria has a great impact on their capacity to generate energy. There are multiple mechanisms to control the shape of mitochondria and adapt them to cellular needs. We discovered that a protein named Src can change the shape and activity of mitochondria. We will examine how this protein impacts on the morphology and activity of the cellular power plant. The capacity of mitochondria to produce energy is crucial for the brain. This organ consumes approximately 25% of the total body energy, although its mass only represents 2% of the total body mass. The brain is composed of multiple cell types with different functions, and different circuits among these cells are responsible for the control of specific behaviors. Our recent work has shown that change in mitochondrial activity in specific brain cell types has specific outcomes on the behavior. For instance, decreased mitochondrial activity in neurons (nerve cells able to transmit information in the brain) alters memory. On the other hand, lower mitochondrial activity in astrocytes (cells important for transporting nutrients inside the brain) decreases social interaction. Thus, we will study how the regulation of mitochondrial shape and activity by Src in these brain cell types affects behavior in mice. This research program will reveal how mitochondria adapt to cellular needs, and how the brain controls our behavior. Our work will therefore open new fields in fundamental cell biology and neuroscience.