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Mitochondria in Ca2+ Signaling and Apoptosis

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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.

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  1. Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892-4495, USA

    Soraya S. Smaili & James T. Russell

  2. Departmento de farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Säo Paulo (UNIFESP), Säo Paulo, Brazil

    Soraya S. Smaili

  3. Biochemistry Section, Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA

    Yi-Te Hsu & Richard J. Youle

  4. Departmento de farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Säo Paulo (UNIFESP), Säo Paulo, Brazil

    James T. Russell

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Smaili, S.S., Hsu, YT., Youle, R.J. et al. Mitochondria in Ca2+ Signaling and Apoptosis. J Bioenerg Biomembr 32, 35–46 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005508311495

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