Cell-type specific mitochondrial Ca2+ handling and selective vulnerability to mitochondrial dysfunction in different dopaminergic neuron populations (B07)

我们的目的是了解是否以及如何不同，神经元类型特异性依赖于线粒体Ca2+处理可能有助于某些神经元类型对线粒体功能障碍的选择性脆弱性。我们将a)分析线粒体如何有助于控制黑质（SN）与腹侧被皮层（VTA）多巴胺能中脑神经元中的游离胞质Ca2+； b)这两种神经元类型之间线粒体Ca2+处理的细胞类型特异性差异是否可能导致它们对线粒体功能障碍引起的神经变性的不同易感性，如衰老和帕金森病所见。

We aim to understand if and how the different, neuron type specific dependence on mitochondrial Ca2+ handling might contribute to the selective vulnerability of certain neuron types to mitochondrial dysfunction. We will a) analyse how mitochondria contribute to controlling free cytosolic Ca2+ in dopaminergic midbrain neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) vs. the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and b) if cell-type specific differences in mitochondrial Ca2+ handling between these two neuron types might contribute to their differential susceptibility to neurodegeneration caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, as seen in ageing and Parkinson¿s disease.