Elsevier

Mitochondrion

Volume 36, September 2017, Pages 186-192
Mitochondrion

Mitochondrial dynamics, transport, and quality control: A bottleneck for retinal ganglion cell viability in optic neuropathies

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2017.08.014Get rights and content
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Abstract

Retinal ganglion cells, the neurons that selectively die in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies, are endowed with an exceedingly active metabolism and display a particular vulnerability to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are exquisitely dynamic organelles that are continually responding to endogenous and environmental cues to readily meet the energy demand of neuronal networks. The highly orchestrated regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, fission, transport and degradation is paramount for the maintenance of energy-expensive synapses at RGC dendrites and axon terminals geared for optimal neurotransmission. The present review focuses on the progress made to date on understanding the biology of mitochondrial dynamics and quality control and how dysregulation of these processes can profoundly affect retinal ganglion cell viability and function in optic nerve diseases.

Keywords

Retinal ganglion cells
Glaucoma
Optic neuropathies
Mitochondrial dynamics
Fusion
Fission
Biogenesis
Transport
Mitophagy

Cited by (0)

Funding: This work is supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (MOP-125966 and PJT-152934) to ADP. YAI is the recipient of a fellowship from the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé (FRQS). ADP is a Chercheur National of FRQS.