Presentation Title
Investigation of Factors that Influence Subcellular Mitochondrial Positioning and Dynamics
Abstract
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, providing energy (ATP) to support dynamic cellular processes. ATP is rapidly consumed upon release from mitochondria, therefore mitochondria move throughout the cell to provide localized energy at subcellular sites. Changes in subcellular positioning of mitochondria is linked to diseases such as neurodegeneration and metastatic cancer. Miro1 is an essential adaptor protein that links mitochondria to motors, facilitating mitochondrial movement in cells. How Miro1 responds to signals to influence mitochondrial movement is unknown. Previous reports identified reactive oxygen species (ROS) as modulators of mitochondrial movement, leading us to investigate how ROS influence Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Using gene-edited cell lines that express a GFP-tagged Miro1, protein western blotting, immunofluorescence, and laser scanning confocal microscopy, I quantified the effects of ROS inducing compounds on Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Interestingly, ROS from diverse cellular compartments had different effects on Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Currently, we are utilizing a live-cell imaging approach to investigate how ROS alter Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics in real-time. Since disrupted mitochondrial movement is central to numerous disease states, including neurodegeneration and tumor metastasis, these results may provide valuable insight into the role that Miro1 plays in the establishment of ROS-associated diseases.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Brian Cunniff
Secondary Mentor Name
Nicholas Heintz
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Brian Cunniff (Mentor), Nicholas Heintz (Collaborating Mentor), Haya Alshaabi (Research Technician)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Biochemistry
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Health Sciences
Investigation of Factors that Influence Subcellular Mitochondrial Positioning and Dynamics
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, providing energy (ATP) to support dynamic cellular processes. ATP is rapidly consumed upon release from mitochondria, therefore mitochondria move throughout the cell to provide localized energy at subcellular sites. Changes in subcellular positioning of mitochondria is linked to diseases such as neurodegeneration and metastatic cancer. Miro1 is an essential adaptor protein that links mitochondria to motors, facilitating mitochondrial movement in cells. How Miro1 responds to signals to influence mitochondrial movement is unknown. Previous reports identified reactive oxygen species (ROS) as modulators of mitochondrial movement, leading us to investigate how ROS influence Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Using gene-edited cell lines that express a GFP-tagged Miro1, protein western blotting, immunofluorescence, and laser scanning confocal microscopy, I quantified the effects of ROS inducing compounds on Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Interestingly, ROS from diverse cellular compartments had different effects on Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics. Currently, we are utilizing a live-cell imaging approach to investigate how ROS alter Miro1 and mitochondrial dynamics in real-time. Since disrupted mitochondrial movement is central to numerous disease states, including neurodegeneration and tumor metastasis, these results may provide valuable insight into the role that Miro1 plays in the establishment of ROS-associated diseases.