RESUMO
Mitochondria are critical to the governance of metabolism and bioenergetics in cancer cells1. The mitochondria form highly organized networks, in which their outer and inner membrane structures define their bioenergetic capacity2,3. However, in vivo studies delineating the relationship between the structural organization of mitochondrial networks and their bioenergetic activity have been limited. Here we present an in vivo structural and functional analysis of mitochondrial networks and bioenergetic phenotypes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using an integrated platform consisting of positron emission tomography imaging, respirometry and three-dimensional scanning block-face electron microscopy. The diverse bioenergetic phenotypes and metabolic dependencies we identified in NSCLC tumours align with distinct structural organization of mitochondrial networks present. Further, we discovered that mitochondrial networks are organized into distinct compartments within tumour cells. In tumours with high rates of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOSHI) and fatty acid oxidation, we identified peri-droplet mitochondrial networks wherein mitochondria contact and surround lipid droplets. By contrast, we discovered that in tumours with low rates of OXPHOS (OXPHOSLO), high glucose flux regulated perinuclear localization of mitochondria, structural remodelling of cristae and mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Our findings suggest that in NSCLC, mitochondrial networks are compartmentalized into distinct subpopulations that govern the bioenergetic capacity of tumours.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas , Metabolismo Energético , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Mitocôndrias , Humanos , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/metabolismo , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/patologia , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/ultraestrutura , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Glucose/metabolismo , Gotículas Lipídicas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patologia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/ultraestrutura , Microscopia Eletrônica , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Fenótipo , Tomografia por Emissão de PósitronsRESUMO
The maintenance of cellular function relies on the close regulation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and hydrolysis. ATP hydrolysis by mitochondrial ATP Synthase (CV) is induced by loss of proton motive force and inhibited by the mitochondrial protein ATPase inhibitor (ATPIF1). The extent of CV hydrolytic activity and its impact on cellular energetics remains unknown due to the lack of selective hydrolysis inhibitors of CV. We find that CV hydrolytic activity takes place in coupled intact mitochondria and is increased by respiratory chain defects. We identified (+)-Epicatechin as a selective inhibitor of ATP hydrolysis that binds CV while preventing the binding of ATPIF1. In cells with Complex-III deficiency, we show that inhibition of CV hydrolytic activity by (+)-Epichatechin is sufficient to restore ATP content without restoring respiratory function. Inhibition of CV-ATP hydrolysis in a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is sufficient to improve muscle force without any increase in mitochondrial content. We conclude that the impact of compromised mitochondrial respiration can be lessened using hydrolysis-selective inhibitors of CV.
Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina , Mitocôndrias , Camundongos , Animais , Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , ATPases Translocadoras de Prótons/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Homeostase , HidróliseRESUMO
Changes in mitochondrial morphology are associated with nutrient utilization, but the precise causalities and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, using cellular models representing a wide variety of mitochondrial shapes, we show a strong linear correlation between mitochondrial fragmentation and increased fatty acid oxidation (FAO) rates. Forced mitochondrial elongation following MFN2 over-expression or DRP1 depletion diminishes FAO, while forced fragmentation upon knockdown or knockout of MFN2 augments FAO as evident from respirometry and metabolic tracing. Remarkably, the genetic induction of fragmentation phenocopies distinct cell type-specific biological functions of enhanced FAO. These include stimulation of gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes, induction of insulin secretion in islet ß-cells exposed to fatty acids, and survival of FAO-dependent lymphoma subtypes. We find that fragmentation increases long-chain but not short-chain FAO, identifying carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) as the downstream effector of mitochondrial morphology in regulation of FAO. Mechanistically, we determined that fragmentation reduces malonyl-CoA inhibition of CPT1, while elongation increases CPT1 sensitivity to malonyl-CoA inhibition. Overall, these findings underscore a physiologic role for fragmentation as a mechanism whereby cellular fuel preference and FAO capacity are determined.
Assuntos
Ácidos Graxos , Malonil Coenzima A , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Malonil Coenzima A/metabolismo , Malonil Coenzima A/farmacologia , Carnitina O-Palmitoiltransferase/genética , Carnitina O-Palmitoiltransferase/metabolismo , Oxirredução , Mitocôndrias/metabolismoRESUMO
An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
RESUMO
Elevated levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and branched-chain α-ketoacids are associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disease, but the molecular mechanisms underlying a putative causal relationship remain unclear. The branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) inhibitor BT2 (3,6-dichlorobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid) is often used in preclinical models to increase BCAA oxidation and restore steady-state BCAA and branched-chain α-ketoacid levels. BT2 administration is protective in various rodent models of heart failure and metabolic disease, but confoundingly, targeted ablation of Bckdk in specific tissues does not reproduce the beneficial effects conferred by pharmacologic inhibition. Here, we demonstrate that BT2, a lipophilic weak acid, can act as a mitochondrial uncoupler. Measurements of oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, and patch-clamp electrophysiology show that BT2 increases proton conductance across the mitochondrial inner membrane independently of its inhibitory effect on BCKDK. BT2 is roughly sixfold less potent than the prototypical uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol and phenocopies 2,4-dinitrophenol in lowering de novo lipogenesis and mitochondrial superoxide production. The data suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of BT2 may be attributable to the well-documented effects of mitochondrial uncoupling in alleviating cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
Assuntos
Lipogênese , Doenças Metabólicas , Membranas Mitocondriais , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Humanos , 2,4-Dinitrofenol/farmacologia , 3-Metil-2-Oxobutanoato Desidrogenase (Lipoamida)/metabolismo , Aminoácidos de Cadeia Ramificada/metabolismo , Lipogênese/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Animais , Camundongos , Ratos , Linhagem Celular , Membranas Mitocondriais/efeitos dos fármacos , Células CultivadasRESUMO
Oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis are the dominant ATP-generating pathways in mammalian metabolism. The balance between these two pathways is often shifted to execute cell-specific functions in response to stimuli that promote activation, proliferation, or differentiation. However, measurement of these metabolic switches has remained mostly qualitative, making it difficult to discriminate between healthy, physiological changes in energy transduction or compensatory responses due to metabolic dysfunction. We therefore present a broadly applicable method to calculate ATP production rates from oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis using Seahorse XF Analyzer data and empirical conversion factors. We quantify the bioenergetic changes observed during macrophage polarization as well as cancer cell adaptation to in vitro culture conditions. Additionally, we detect substantive changes in ATP utilization upon neuronal depolarization and T cell receptor activation that are not evident from steady-state ATP measurements. This method generates a single readout that allows the direct comparison of ATP produced from oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in live cells. Additionally, the manuscript provides a framework for tailoring the calculations to specific cell systems or experimental conditions.
Assuntos
Smegmamorpha , Animais , Smegmamorpha/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Metabolismo Energético , Glicólise , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMO
Mitochondria are essential regulators of cellular energy and metabolism, and have a crucial role in sustaining the growth and survival of cancer cells. A central function of mitochondria is the synthesis of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation, known as mitochondrial bioenergetics. Mitochondria maintain oxidative phosphorylation by creating a membrane potential gradient that is generated by the electron transport chain to drive the synthesis of ATP1. Mitochondria are essential for tumour initiation and maintaining tumour cell growth in cell culture and xenografts2,3. However, our understanding of oxidative mitochondrial metabolism in cancer is limited because most studies have been performed in vitro in cell culture models. This highlights a need for in vivo studies to better understand how oxidative metabolism supports tumour growth. Here we measure mitochondrial membrane potential in non-small-cell lung cancer in vivo using a voltage-sensitive, positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer known as 4-[18F]fluorobenzyl-triphenylphosphonium (18F-BnTP)4. By using PET imaging of 18F-BnTP, we profile mitochondrial membrane potential in autochthonous mouse models of lung cancer, and find distinct functional mitochondrial heterogeneity within subtypes of lung tumours. The use of 18F-BnTP PET imaging enabled us to functionally profile mitochondrial membrane potential in live tumours.
Assuntos
Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/fisiopatologia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/fisiopatologia , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial , Células A549 , Animais , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico por imagem , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Compostos Organofosforados , Tomografia por Emissão de PósitronsRESUMO
Respirometry is the gold standard measurement of mitochondrial oxidative function, as it reflects the activity of the electron transport chain complexes working together. However, the requirement for freshly isolated mitochondria hinders the feasibility of respirometry in multi-site clinical studies and retrospective studies. Here, we describe a novel respirometry approach suited for frozen samples by restoring electron transfer components lost during freeze/thaw and correcting for variable permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes. This approach preserves 90-95% of the maximal respiratory capacity in frozen samples and can be applied to isolated mitochondria, permeabilized cells, and tissue homogenates with high sensitivity. We find that primary changes in mitochondrial function, detected in fresh tissue, are preserved in frozen samples years after collection. This approach will enable analysis of the integrated function of mitochondrial Complexes I to IV in one measurement, collected at remote sites or retrospectively in samples residing in tissue biobanks.
Assuntos
Criopreservação , Complexo de Proteínas da Cadeia de Transporte de Elétrons/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Consumo de Oxigênio , Proteínas de Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismo , Animais , Masculino , CamundongosRESUMO
In the mammalian retina, a metabolic ecosystem exists in which photoreceptors acquire glucose from the choriocapillaris with the help of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). While the photoreceptor cells are primarily glycolytic, exhibiting Warburg-like metabolism, the RPE is reliant on mitochondrial respiration. However, the ways in which mitochondrial metabolism affect RPE cellular functions are not clear. We first used the human RPE cell line, ARPE-19, to examine mitochondrial metabolism in the context of cellular differentiation. We show that nicotinamide induced rapid differentiation of ARPE-19 cells, which was reversed by removal of supplemental nicotinamide. During the nicotinamide-induced differentiation, we observed using quantitative PCR, Western blotting, electron microscopy, and metabolic respiration and tracing assays that (1) mitochondrial gene and protein expression increased, (2) mitochondria became larger with more tightly folded cristae, and (3) mitochondrial metabolism was enhanced. In addition, we show that primary cultures of human fetal RPE cells responded similarly in the presence of nicotinamide. Furthermore, disruption of mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate attenuated the nicotinamide-induced differentiation of the RPE cells. Together, our results demonstrate a remarkable effect of nicotinamide on RPE metabolism. We also identify mitochondrial respiration as a key contributor to the differentiated state of the RPE and thus to many of the RPE functions that are essential for retinal health and photoreception.
Assuntos
Diferenciação Celular , Mitocôndrias , Niacinamida , Epitélio Pigmentado da Retina , Animais , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Glucose/metabolismo , Humanos , Mitocôndrias/genética , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Niacinamida/farmacologia , Ácido Pirúvico/metabolismo , Epitélio Pigmentado da Retina/citologia , Epitélio Pigmentado da Retina/efeitos dos fármacos , Epitélio Pigmentado da Retina/metabolismoRESUMO
The trabecular meshwork (TM) is the leading site of aqueous humor outflow in the eye and plays a critical role in maintaining normal intraocular pressure. When the TM fails to maintain normal intraocular pressure, glaucoma may develop. Mitochondrial damage has previously been found in glaucomatous TM cells; however, the precise metabolic activity of glaucomatous TM cells has yet to be quantitatively assessed. Using dexamethasone (Dex) treated primary human TM cells to model glaucomatous TM cells, we measure the respiratory and glycolytic activity of Dex-treated TM cells with an extracellular flux assay. We found that Dex-treated TM cells had quantifiably altered metabolic profiles, including increased spare respiratory capacity and ATP production rate from oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, we propose that reversing or preventing these metabolic changes may represent an avenue for future research.
Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Proteínas do Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Dexametasona/farmacologia , Proteínas do Olho/metabolismo , Glucocorticoides/farmacologia , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Malha Trabecular/efeitos dos fármacos , Idoso , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doadores de Tecidos , Malha Trabecular/citologia , Malha Trabecular/metabolismoRESUMO
Combined fatty acid esterification and lipolysis, termed lipid cycling, is an ATP-consuming process that contributes to energy expenditure. Therefore, interventions that stimulate energy expenditure through lipid cycling are of great interest. Here we find that pharmacological and genetic inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) in brown adipocytes activates lipid cycling and energy expenditure, even in the absence of adrenergic stimulation. We show that the resulting increase in ATP demand elevates mitochondrial respiration coupled to ATP synthesis and fueled by lipid oxidation. We identify that glutamine consumption and the Malate-Aspartate Shuttle are required for the increase in Energy Expenditure induced by MPC inhibition in Brown Adipocytes (MAShEEBA). We thus demonstrate that energy expenditure through enhanced lipid cycling can be activated in brown adipocytes by decreasing mitochondrial pyruvate availability. We present a new mechanism to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in brown adipocytes, which does not require adrenergic stimulation of mitochondrial uncoupling.
Assuntos
Adipócitos Marrons , Ácido Pirúvico , Adipócitos Marrons/metabolismo , Tecido Adiposo Marrom/metabolismo , Metabolismo Energético , Lipídeos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Ácido Pirúvico/metabolismo , Termogênese , Proteína Desacopladora 1/genética , Proteína Desacopladora 1/metabolismoRESUMO
Assessing mitochondrial function in cell-based systems is a central component of metabolism research. However, the selection of an initial measurement technique may be complicated given the range of parameters that can be studied and the need to define the mitochondrial (dys)function of interest. This methods-focused review compares and contrasts the use of mitochondrial membrane potential measurements, plate-based respirometry, and metabolomics and stable isotope tracing. We demonstrate how measurements of 1) cellular substrate preference, 2) respiratory chain activity, 3) cell activation, and 4) mitochondrial biogenesis are enriched by integrating information from multiple methods. This manuscript is meant to serve as a perspective to help choose which technique might be an appropriate initial method to answer a given question, as well as provide a broad "roadmap" for designing follow-up assays to enrich datasets or resolve ambiguous results.
Assuntos
Bioensaio , Metabolismo Energético , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial , Metabolômica , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Biogênese de Organelas , Animais , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Respiração Celular , Humanos , Marcação por Isótopo , Consumo de OxigênioRESUMO
Sporadic late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) preceded by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the most common type of dementia. Long-term studies of immunity to pathogenic amyloid-ß (Aß) in LOAD are lacking. Innate immunity of LOAD patients is malfunctioning in phagocytosis and degradation of Aß and LOAD patients' macrophage transcriptome and metabolome are deregulated. We previously showed omega-3 fatty acid (ω-3)-mediated repair of unfolded protein response and here we show much broader transcriptomic effects. ω-3 treatment in vitro and ω-3 supplementation by the drink Smartfish (SMF) in vivo increased the transcripts of the genes and pathways of immunity, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, OX-PHOS, nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+ ) synthesis, and reversed the defects in Aß phagocytosis. In both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages, ω-3 increased ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ω-3 with carnitine was superior to ω-3. ω-3 treatment in vitro and supplementation by the ω-3 drink SMF in vivo rescued macrophage phagocytosis when glycolysis or glycosylation were blocked. ω-3 provide flexible energy for immune clearance of the brain throughout the diurnal cycle, even in hypo- or hyper-glycemia. In certain LOAD patients, ω-3 may delay progression to dementia.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Suplementos Nutricionais , Ácidos Graxos Ômega-3/administração & dosagem , Imunidade Inata/efeitos dos fármacos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/efeitos dos fármacos , Doenças Neurodegenerativas/tratamento farmacológico , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Doença de Alzheimer/imunologia , Feminino , Humanos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/imunologia , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Neurodegenerativas/genética , Doenças Neurodegenerativas/imunologia , Fagocitose , Transcriptoma/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BAT-controlled thermogenic activity is thought to be required for its capacity to prevent the development of insulin resistance. This hypothesis predicts that mediators of thermogenesis may help prevent diet-induced insulin resistance. We report that the mitochondrial fusion protein Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in BAT is essential for cold-stimulated thermogenesis, but promotes insulin resistance in obese mice. Mfn2 deletion in mice through Ucp1-cre (BAT-Mfn2-KO) causes BAT lipohypertrophy and cold intolerance. Surprisingly however, deletion of Mfn2 in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) results in improved insulin sensitivity and resistance to obesity, while impaired cold-stimulated thermogenesis is maintained. Improvement in insulin sensitivity is associated with a gender-specific remodeling of BAT mitochondrial function. In females, BAT mitochondria increase their efficiency for ATP-synthesizing fat oxidation, whereas in BAT from males, complex I-driven respiration is decreased and glycolytic capacity is increased. Thus, BAT adaptation to obesity is regulated by Mfn2 and with BAT-Mfn2 absent, BAT contribution to prevention of insulin resistance is independent and inversely correlated to whole-body cold-stimulated thermogenesis.
Assuntos
Tecido Adiposo Marrom/metabolismo , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/deficiência , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/genética , Resistência à Insulina , Termogênese/genética , Animais , Dieta Hiperlipídica , Metabolismo Energético , Feminino , Glicólise , Masculino , Camundongos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , ObesidadeRESUMO
Pro-inflammatory macrophage activation is a hallmark example of how mitochondria serve as signaling organelles. Upon classical macrophage activation, oxidative phosphorylation sharply decreases and mitochondria are repurposed to accumulate signals that amplify effector function. However, evidence is conflicting as to whether this collapse in respiration is essential or largely dispensable. Here we systematically examine this question and show that reduced oxidative phosphorylation is not required for pro-inflammatory macrophage activation. Only stimuli that engage both MyD88- and TRIF-linked pathways decrease mitochondrial respiration, and different pro-inflammatory stimuli have varying effects on other bioenergetic parameters. Additionally, pharmacologic and genetic models of electron transport chain inhibition show no direct link between respiration and pro-inflammatory activation. Studies in mouse and human macrophages also reveal accumulation of the signaling metabolites succinate and itaconate can occur independently of characteristic breaks in the TCA cycle. Finally, in vivo activation of peritoneal macrophages further demonstrates that a pro-inflammatory response can be elicited without reductions to oxidative phosphorylation. Taken together, the results suggest the conventional model of mitochondrial reprogramming upon macrophage activation is incomplete.
RESUMO
Myocardial infarction (MI) results in aberrant cardiac metabolism, but no therapeutics have been designed to target cardiac metabolism to enhance heart repair. We engineer a humanized monoclonal antibody against the ectonucleotidase ENPP1 (hENPP1mAb) that targets metabolic crosstalk in the infarcted heart. In mice expressing human ENPP1, systemic administration of hENPP1mAb metabolically reprograms myocytes and non-myocytes and leads to a significant rescue of post-MI heart dysfunction. Using metabolomics, single-nuclear transcriptomics, and cellular respiration studies, we show that the administration of the hENPP1mAb induces organ-wide metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming of the heart that enhances myocyte cellular respiration and decreases cell death and fibrosis in the infarcted heart. Biodistribution and safety studies showed specific organ-wide distribution with the antibody being well tolerated. In humanized animals, with drug clearance kinetics similar to humans, we demonstrate that a single "shot" of the hENPP1mAb after MI is sufficient to rescue cardiac dysfunction.
RESUMO
The dynamin-related guanosine triphosphatase, Drp1 (encoded by Dnm1l), plays a central role in mitochondrial fission and is requisite for numerous cellular processes; however, its role in muscle metabolism remains unclear. Here, we show that, among human tissues, the highest number of gene correlations with DNM1L is in skeletal muscle. Knockdown of Drp1 (Drp1-KD) promoted mitochondrial hyperfusion in the muscle of male mice. Reduced fatty acid oxidation and impaired insulin action along with increased muscle succinate was observed in Drp1-KD muscle. Muscle Drp1-KD reduced complex II assembly and activity as a consequence of diminished mitochondrial translocation of succinate dehydrogenase assembly factor 2 (Sdhaf2). Restoration of Sdhaf2 normalized complex II activity, lipid oxidation, and insulin action in Drp1-KD myocytes. Drp1 is critical in maintaining mitochondrial complex II assembly, lipid oxidation, and insulin sensitivity, suggesting a mechanistic link between mitochondrial morphology and skeletal muscle metabolism, which is clinically relevant in combatting metabolic-related diseases.
Assuntos
Insulinas , Succinato Desidrogenase , Animais , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Insulinas/metabolismo , Lipídeos , Mitocôndrias/genética , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Proteínas Mitocondriais/genética , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Succinato Desidrogenase/metabolismoRESUMO
Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) powers brain activity1,2, and mitochondrial defects are linked to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders3,4, underscoring the need to define the brain's molecular energetic landscape5-10. To bridge the cognitive neuroscience and cell biology scale gap, we developed a physical voxelization approach to partition a frozen human coronal hemisphere section into 703 voxels comparable to neuroimaging resolution (3×3×3 mm). In each cortical and subcortical brain voxel, we profiled mitochondrial phenotypes including OxPhos enzyme activities, mitochondrial DNA and volume density, and mitochondria-specific respiratory capacity. We show that the human brain contains a diversity of mitochondrial phenotypes driven by both topology and cell types. Compared to white matter, grey matter contains >50% more mitochondria. We show that the more abundant grey matter mitochondria also are biochemically optimized for energy transformation, particularly among recently evolved cortical brain regions. Scaling these data to the whole brain, we created a backward linear regression model integrating several neuroimaging modalities11, thereby generating a brain-wide map of mitochondrial distribution and specialization that predicts mitochondrial characteristics in an independent brain region of the same donor brain. This new approach and the resulting MitoBrainMap of mitochondrial phenotypes provide a foundation for exploring the molecular energetic landscape that enables normal brain functions, relating it to neuroimaging data, and defining the subcellular basis for regionalized brain processes relevant to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.