Mechanisms of mitochondrial transport and distribution within the cell

Abstract

Mitochondria are multifunctional, dynamic organelles, which are continuously undergoing fusion and fission and are actively distributed within the cell. Mitochondria travel along microtubules together with a mitochondrial trafficking complex, formed by motor and adaptor proteins. Proper mitochondrial movements are crucial for neurons, in which mitochondria translocate in two directions. Anterograde transport is an outward movement of mitochondria from the cell body to the synapse, whereas retrograde is an inward movement away from the synapse or plasma membrane toward the cell body. This article presents a summary of current knowledge about the intracellular transport of mitochondria and its regulation in mammalian cells.