# Mechanism and function of the fission of axonal mitochondria

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2020 · $341,250

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The branching of axons is a pivotal event in the development of neuronal circuitry and during the
response of the nervous system to injury. We and others recently identified a crucial role for axonal
mitochondria in axon branching. This proposal aims to advance the understanding of the role of mitochondria
in axon branching and axonal physiology. The preliminary data unveil that nerve growth factor, a branch
inducing signal, promotes the fission of axonal mitochondria which is in turn required for the ensuing
branching. The PI3K signaling pathway is necessary and sufficient for the induction of fission by NGF. Aim 1
of this proposal aims to determine whether neurotrophins which induce branching in vivo also induce fission
and the role of fission in in vivo branching, and further dissect the signaling mechanism used by NGF to drive
the fission of axonal mitochondria. Aim 2 will address the role of the axonal cytoskeleton in the regulation of
mitochondrial fission. Aim 3 will seek to determine how the fission of mitochondria contributes to axonal
physiology and the mechanism of axon branching. Collectively, these aims have the potential to make
impactful advances which will be of interest to a wide community of scientists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9963401
- **Project number:** 5R01NS095471-05
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** GIANLUCA GALLO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $341,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9963401

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9963401, Mechanism and function of the fission of axonal mitochondria (5R01NS095471-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9963401. Licensed CC0.

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