AMPK preferentially depresses retrograde transport of axonal mitochondria during localised nutrient deprivation.

Mitochondrial clusters are found at regions of high energy demand, allowing cells to meet local metabolic requirements while maintaining neuronal homeostasis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key energy stress sensor, responds to increases in AMP/ATP ratio by activating multiple signalling cascades to overcome the energetic deficiency. In many neurological conditions, the distal axon experiences energetic stress independent of the soma. Here, we used microfluidic devices to physically isolate these two neuronal structures and to investigate whether localised AMPK signalling influenced axonal mitochondrial transport. Nucleofection of primary cortical neurons, derived from E16 mouse embryos (both sexes), with mito-GFP allowed monitoring of the transport dynamics of mitochondria within the axon, by confocal microscopy. Pharmacological activation of AMPK at the distal axon (0.1 mM AICAR) induced a depression of the mean frequency, velocity and distance of retrograde mitochondrial transport in the adjacent axon. Anterograde mitochondrial transport was less sensitive to local AMPK stimulus, with the imbalance of bi-directional mitochondrial transport resulting in accumulation of mitochondria at the region of energetic stress signal. Mitochondria in the axon-rich white matter of the brain rely heavily on lactate as a substrate for ATP synthesis. Interestingly, localised inhibition of lactate uptake (10 nM AR-C155858) reduced mitochondrial transport in the adjacent axon in all parameters measured, similar to that observed by AICAR treatment. Co-addition of compound C restored all parameters measured to baseline levels, confirming the involvement of AMPK. This study highlights a role of AMPK signalling in the depression of axonal mitochondrial mobility during localised energetic stress. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT As the main providers of cellular energy, the dynamic transport of mitochondria within the neuron allows for clustering at regions of high energy demand. Here we investigate whether acute changes in energetic stress signal in the spatially isolated axon would alter mitochondrial transport in this local region. Both direct and indirect activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) isolated to the distal axon induced a rapid, marked depression in local mitochondrial transport. This work highlights the ability of acute localised AMPK signalling to affect mitochondrial mobility within the axon, with important implications for white matter injury, axonal growth and axonal degeneration.