ISSN:
1573-6881
Keywords:
Ca2+ signaling
;
inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor
;
mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake
;
mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux
;
permeability transition
;
apoptosis
;
Bcl-2 family
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Cellular Ca2+ signals are crucial in the control of most physiological processes, cell injuryand programmed cell death; mitochondria play a pivotal role in the regulation of such cytosolicCa2+ ([Ca2+]c) signals. Mitochondria are endowed with multiple Ca2+ transport mechanismsby which they take up and release Ca2+ across their inner membrane. These transport processesfunction to regulate local and global [Ca2+]c, thereby regulating a number of Ca2+-sensitivecellular mechanisms. The permeability transition pore (PTP) forms the major Ca2+ effluxpathway from mitochondria. In addition, Ca2+ efflux from the mitochondrial matrix occursby the reversal of the uniporter and through the inner membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Duringcellular Ca2+ overload, mitochondria take up [Ca2+]c, which, in turn, induces opening of PTP,disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cell death. In apoptosis signaling,collapse of ΔΨ;m and cytochrome c release from mitochondria occur followed by activationof caspases, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. Translocation of Bax, an apoptotic signalingprotein from the cytosol to the mitochondrial membrane, is another step during thisapoptosis-signaling pathway. The role of permeability transition in the context of cell death in relationto Bcl-2 family of proteins is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005508311495
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