title: Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis: mechanisms and molecules.
abstract: Despite the early characterisation of Ca2+ fluxes in isolated mitochondria and the ability of this ion to up-regulate dehydrogenases of the Krebs cycle, the low affinity of the organelle uptake pathways was a long-standing obstacle to the recognition of a physiological role for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. This review begins with a historical account of the main results that proved the contrary and provides a brief description of mitochondrial Ca2+ signals. Then, it discusses the characteristics of Ca2+ regulation of mitochondrial function. Finally, it summarizes recent discoveries on structural aspects of mitochondrial reticulum and its connections to signalling partners such as the endoplasmic reticulum or the plasma membrane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Center for the Study of Inflammatory Diseases (CESMI), University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vandecasteele
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szabadkai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzuto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D017136:Ion Transport; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium