Partial loss of MCU mitigates pathology in vivo across a diverse range of neurodegenerative disease models
Madeleine J. Twyning, Roberta Tufi, Thomas P. Gleeson, Kinga M. Kolodziej, Susanna Campesan, Ana Terriente-Félix, Lewis Collins, Federica De Lazzari, Flaviano Giorgini, Alexander J. Whitworth
Abstract
Mitochondrial calcium (Ca 2+ ) uptake augments metabolic processes and buffers cytosolic Ca 2+ levels; however, excessive mitochondrial Ca 2+ can cause cell death. Disrupted mitochondrial function and Ca 2+ homeostasis are linked to numerous neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), but the impact of mitochondrial Ca 2+ disruption is not well understood. Here, we show that Drosophila models of multiple NDs (Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and frontotemporal dementia) reveal a consistent increase in neuronal mitochondrial Ca 2+ levels, as well as reduced mitochondrial Ca 2+ buffering capacity, associated with increased mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites (MERCs). Importantly, loss of the mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake channel MCU or overexpression of the efflux channel NCLX robustly suppresses key pathological phenotypes across these ND models. Thus, mitochondrial Ca 2+ imbalance is a common feature of diverse NDs in vivo and is an important contributor to the disease pathogenesis. The broad beneficial effects from partial loss of MCU across these models presents a common, druggable target for therapeutic intervention.