Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Analyses of Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Isolated Mitochondria and Cultured Cells
Published on: April 27, 2018
The Involvement of Mg2+ in Regulation of Cellular and Mitochondrial Functions
Ivana Pilchova1, Katarina Klacanova1, Zuzana Tatarkova1
1Biomedical Center Martin JFM CU and Department of Medical Biochemistry JFM CU, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin (JFM CU), Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia.
Abstract:
Mg2+ is an essential mineral with pleotropic impacts on cellular physiology and functions. It acts as a cofactor of several important enzymes, as a regulator of ion channels such as voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and K+ channels and on Ca2+-binding proteins. In general, Mg2+ is considered as the main intracellular antagonist of Ca2+, which is an essential secondary messenger initiating or regulating a great number of cellular functions. This review examines the effects of Mg2+ on mitochondrial functions with a particular focus on energy metabolism, mitochondrial Ca2+ handling, and apoptosis.
Related Concept Videos
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Mitochondrial Membranes
Regulation of Metabolism
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
ATP Synthase: Mechanism

