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Related Concept Videos

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...
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Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
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Electron Transport Chains

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Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

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The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 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

The mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger.

Raz Palty1, Israel Sekler

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. palty35@berkeley.edu

Cell Calcium
|March 21, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers identified the NCLX protein as the long-sought mitochondrial sodium-calcium exchanger. This discovery provides a molecular target for studying mitochondrial calcium transport and cellular signaling.

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

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Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial physiology
  • Cellular signaling
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) transport is crucial for ATP production and cellular signaling.
  • A mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger facilitates Ca2+ extrusion, but its molecular identity remained unknown for decades.
  • Previous attempts to identify the exchanger using protein purification and functional reconstitution were unsuccessful.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the molecular identity of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger.
  • To characterize the functional properties and regulation of this exchanger.
  • To provide a molecular basis for understanding mitochondrial Ca2+ transport and signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Functional characterization of mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity in isolated mitochondria and intact cells.
  • Protein purification and functional reconstitution assays.
  • Cloning and characterization of the NCLX (Na+/Ca2+/Li+ exchanger) gene and protein.
  • Localization studies of NCLX within the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Main Results:

  • The mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger exhibits unique functional fingerprints, including Li+/Ca2+ exchange and sensitivity to specific inhibitors.
  • Cloning of NCLX, the final member of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger superfamily, provided a strong candidate.
  • NCLX is localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane, and its expression correlates with mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity.
  • NCLX possesses functional properties consistent with the known characteristics of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger.

Conclusions:

  • NCLX is identified as the molecular entity responsible for mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange.
  • This identification provides a crucial molecular tool for investigating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and its role in cellular processes.
  • The discovery opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial dysfunction and related diseases.