Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells
08:29

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells

Published on: April 27, 2018

Calcium transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane: molecular mechanisms and pharmacology

György Csordás1, Peter Várnai, Tünde Golenár

  • 1Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Gyorgy.Csordas@jefferson.edu

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|November 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondrial calcium uptake is vital for cells, but its molecular mechanisms were unclear. New research identifies key proteins and drug sensitivities involved in inner mitochondrial membrane calcium transport.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial calcium uptake plays critical roles in cellular metabolism, signaling, and survival.
  • The precise molecular identity of mitochondrial calcium transport sites and the signals they sense have remained largely unknown.
  • Inner mitochondrial membrane calcium transport is essential for cellular homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an update on the pharmacological aspects of molecular mechanisms governing calcium transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
  • To review recent findings on candidate proteins involved in mitochondrial calcium uptake.
  • To discuss the impact of drug sensitivities and inhibitors on understanding these transport systems.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent RNA interference studies to identify candidate proteins.
  • Analysis of drug sensitivity assays for identified transport factors.
  • Compilation of data on newly described inhibitors of mitochondrial calcium uptake.

Main Results:

  • Several candidate proteins, including LETM1, MCU, MICU1, and NCLX, have been identified for calcium transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
  • The pharmacological profiles and drug sensitivities of these candidate proteins have been investigated.
  • New pharmacological tools, including inhibitors, have been described for studying mitochondrial calcium uptake.

Conclusions:

  • Significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular players and pharmacological properties of inner mitochondrial membrane calcium transport.
  • Pharmacological characterization is crucial for understanding the function and regulation of mitochondrial calcium uptake.
  • Further research into these mechanisms holds promise for therapeutic interventions targeting cellular metabolism and survival.

More Related Videos

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy08:43

Simultaneous Measurement of Mitochondrial Calcium and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Live Cells by Fluorescent Microscopy

Published on: January 24, 2017

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay05:53

Mitochondrial Ca2+ Retention Capacity Assay and Ca2+-triggered Mitochondrial Swelling Assay

Published on: May 1, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:34

Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

Nuclear encoded mitochondrial precursors are imported to the inner membrane in a multistep process involving two separate translocons, TIM22 and TIM23. TIM23 is a cation-selective pore that remains closed by the N terminal segment of the protein. Negative charges on the TIM23 act as a receptor for the incoming precursor, pulling the positively charged matrix-targeting sequence for peptide insertion and translocation.
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein01:42

The ADP/ATP Carrier Protein

ADP/ATP carrier or AAC protein is the most abundant carrier protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It transports large quantities of ADP and ATP, equivalent to the average human body weight, every day. Among other transporters, ACC protein is one of the best-studied members of the mitochondrial carrier protein family. The ADP/ATP carrier protein comprises two transmembrane helices connected to a loop and a single alpha-helix on the matrix side. It switches between two conformational...
The Significance of Membrane Transport01:44

The Significance of Membrane Transport

The transport of solutes across the cell membrane is essential for metabolic processes, like maintaining cell size and volume, generating the action potential, exchanging nutrients and gases, etc. Membrane transport can be either passive or active. It can be simple diffusion, facilitated, or mediated transport aided by transport proteins such as transporters and channels.
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
The Significance of Membrane Transport01:44

The Significance of Membrane Transport

The transport of solutes across the cell membrane is essential for metabolic processes, like maintaining cell size and volume, generating the action potential, exchanging nutrients and gases, etc. Membrane transport can be either passive or active. It can be simple diffusion, facilitated, or mediated transport aided by transport proteins such as transporters and channels.
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
ATP Synthase: Mechanism01:48

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased ATP...
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...