Sunday, March 15, 2026 3/15/2026

The role and regulation of mitochondrial localization in mature neurons.

Award Number: R01AG081270
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

The role and regulation of mitochondrial localization in mature neurons. - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Dynamic regulation of mitochondrial localization is vital for the various energy demands and homeostasis maintenance of subcellular regions. Key components governing mitochondrial motility, dynamics, anchoring, and quality control have been identified. However, little is known about the signaling mechanisms by which neurons coordinate mitochondrial localization in the short and long term in response to environmental and physiological stimuli. This proper regulation of mitochondrial localization is particularly important in neurons with unique and elongated structures that lead to a fundamental problem of a mismatch between the mitochondrial biosynthesis site (cell body) and the high-demanding site for mitochondrial function (axon and synapse). Growing evidence indicates that an irregular mitochondrial localization to the axon and synapse is closely associated with many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, nerve degeneration, and regeneration failure. This proposal aims to elucidate how neurons regulate mitochondrial localization in two fundamental conditions including age and injury. In addition, we propose to determine how the regulation of mitochondrial localization affects the maintenance of neuronal function against injury and aging. This proposal is built based on recent in vivo studies that adult neurons undergo progressively reduced mitochondrial movement. Our lab and others have also revealed that injured neurons acutely change mitochondrial movement and localization, determining axon regeneration ability. The underlying mechanisms by which neurons regulate mitochondrial localization in aging and injury conditions remain poorly understood. Lack of this knowledge hinders the development of therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and nerve injury that have been associated with abnormal mitochondrial localization. We combine Caenorhabditis elegans genetics, mitochondrial biology, innovative in vivo imaging, and laser axotomy to address these unmet needs. Our preliminary data suggest that the DLK-1 MAPK signaling, a conserved pathway associated with synapse development, axon regeneration, and progressive neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease model, could be a novel regulator of mitochondrial localization in neurons. This proposal consists of three specific aims to answer how neurons regulate mitochondrial localization in aging and injury conditions (Aim 1), what the role of mitochondria in the recovery of the adult neurons after injury (Aim 2), and how the communication between mitochondria and nucleus controls the DLK-1 signaling, thereby mitochondria function and axon regeneration (Aim 3). We expect that our proposed experiments will achieve a new understanding of the mechanisms that maintain the optimal function of the nervous system by regulating mitochondrial function in aging and injured neurons. Also, our findings will provide better insight into novel therapeutic approaches to restoring neuronal function after nerve injury.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $375,740 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	001	4	2/25/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,574
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	000	4	2/2/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$338,166
														Subtotal = $375,740

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $368,716 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	001	3	8/4/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$30,099
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	000	3	12/6/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$338,617
														Subtotal = $368,716

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $376,696 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	001	2	5/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,670
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	000	2	12/4/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$339,026
														Subtotal = $376,696

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $377,110 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA	1523 UNION RD RM 207	GAINESVILLE	FL	32611	ALACHUA	USA	Aging Research	000	1	3/22/2023	NEW	$377,110
														Subtotal = $377,110

Grand Total All Awards = $1,498,262

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

The role and regulation of mitochondrial localization in mature neurons.

Award Number: R01AG081270

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 12/31/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer