Inhibitory proteins in the extracellular matrix and myelin of the central nervous system (CNS) have been implicated in failed axon regeneration after spinal cord injury and brain trauma. Two of these CNS growth inhibitors, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), trigger actin depolymerization and growth cone collapse. In their new study entitled "Deacetylation of Miro1 by HDAC6 blocks mitochondrial transport and mediates axon growth inhibition", Dr. Twiss and colleagues demonstrate that both CSPGs and MAG attenuate axonal transport of mitochondria and decrease mitochondrial membrane potential, and that these effects are prevented by inhibiting a histone deacetylase called HDAC6. Learn more about this excellent work here!