Mitofusin 2 controls mitochondrial and synaptic dynamics of suprachiasmatic VIP neurons and related circadian rhythms.

ABSTRACT: Sustaining the strong rhythmic interactions between cellular adaptations and environmental cues has been posited as essential for preserving the physiological and behavioral alignment of an organism to the proper phase of the daily light/dark (LD) cycle. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondria and synaptic input organization of suprachiasmatic (SCN) vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing (VIP-expressing) neurons showed circadian rhythmicity. Perturbed mitochondrial dynamics achieved by conditional ablation of the fusogenic protein mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in VIP neurons caused disrupted circadian oscillation in mitochondria and synapses in SCN VIP neurons, leading to desynchronization of entrainment to the LD cycle in Mfn2-deficient mice that resulted in an advanced phase angle of their locomot

SUBMITTER: Stoiljkovic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12208536 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature