# A control center for mitochondrial navigation in neurons

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $354,264

## Abstract

We seek to understand the regulatory mechanisms that control the movements of mitochondria
in cells. A protein complex that includes milton, Miro, and the kinesin-1 heavy chain (KHC) is
essential for mitochondrial transport in neurons. Miro resides at the central hub to allow multiple
cellular signals to control mitochondrial motility. These signals include mitophagy, calcium,
hypoxia, and nutrient availability etc. Additionally, and most relevant to this proposal, we have
obtained exciting preliminary results demonstrating that a novel machinery spanning both the
mitochondrial outer and inner membranes–the mitochondrial intermembrane space bridging
(MIB) complex, stabilizes Miro and regulates mitochondrial motility. This new discovery and our
past work raise a burning question at the intersection of fundamental cell biology and
neurobiology: How these discrete Miro-pathways functionally coordinate or converge on
mitochondrial integrity in response to various stimuli and stresses? In this proposal, we will probe
these questions using classical cell biological and neurobiological approaches combined with a
powerful genetic tool (fruit flies) for functional validation. Aim 1: To dissect the functional
significance of the MIB-Miro complex. Aim 2: To determine the nature of Miro interaction
with its binding partners. Aim 3: To explore the interplay of the regulatory signals and
machineries of Miro.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10276624
- **Project number:** 1R01GM143258-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** XINNAN WANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $354,264
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10276624

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10276624, A control center for mitochondrial navigation in neurons (1R01GM143258-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10276624. Licensed CC0.

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