# A control center for mitochondrial navigation in neurons

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $51,275

## Abstract

We are seeking 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 do these discrete Miro-pathways
functionally coordinate or converge on mitochondrial integrity in response to various stimuli
and stresses? In this project we are probing 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:** 10676692
- **Project number:** 3R01GM143258-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** XINNAN WANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $51,275
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10676692

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10676692, A control center for mitochondrial navigation in neurons (3R01GM143258-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10676692. Licensed CC0.

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