Local Accumulation of Axonal Mitochondria in the Optic Nerve Glial Lamina Precedes Myelination.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria are essential for neurons and must be optimally distributed along their axon to fulfill local functions. A high density of mitochondria has been observed in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons of an unmyelinated region of the optic nerve, called the glial lamina (GL) in mouse (lamina cribrosa in human). In glaucoma, the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness, the GL is the epicenter of RGC degeneration and is connected to mitochondrial dysfunction. It is generally accepted that the local accumulation of mitochondria in the GL is established due to the higher energy requirement of unmyelinated axons. Here we revisit the connection between mitochondrial positioning and myelin in RGC axons. We show that the high density of mitochondria in the GL is restricted to larger axo

SUBMITTER: Wilkison SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8173055 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature