Spatial and morphological organization of mitochondria in neurons across a connectome
Summary
Neuronal function depends on mitochondria, but little is known about their organization across neurons. Using an electron microscopy Drosophila connectome, we uncovered quantitative rules governing the morphology and positioning of hundreds of thousands of mitochondria across thousands of neurons. We discovered that mitochondrial morphological features are specific to cell and neurotransmitter type, which provides fingerprints to identify neurons. Mitochondria are positioned with 2- to 3-m
Content
# Spatial and morphological organization of mitochondria in neurons across a connectome
*Published: 2026 Mar 19*
Neuronal function depends on mitochondria, but little is known about their
organization across neurons. Using an electron microscopy Drosophila connectome,
we uncovered quantitative rules governing the morphology and positioning of
hundreds of thousands of mitochondria across thousands of neurons. We discovered
that mitochondrial morphological features are specific to cell and
neurotransmitter type, which provides fingerprints to identify neurons.
Mitochondria are positioned with 2- to 3-micrometer precision relative to
synaptic and structural features, with systematic differences across neuron
types and compartments. Mitochondrial localization correlates with regional
activity and postsynaptic targets. Analysis of a mouse visual cortex connectome
confirms cell type-specific morphology and identifies partially divergent
positioning rules. These results establish mitochondria as circuit-embedded
organelles whose distribution links subcellular architecture to brain
connectivity.
DOI: 10.1126/science.ads6674