title: Structural and functional link between the mitochondrial network and the endoplasmic reticulum.
abstract: Mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) networks are fundamental for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and for determination of cell fate under stress conditions. Recent structural and functional studies revealed the interaction of these networks. These zones of close contact between ER and mitochondria called MAM (mitochondria associated membranes) support communication between the two organelles including bioenergetics and cell survival. The existence of macromolecular complexes in these contact sites has also been revealed. In this contribution, we will review: (i) the ER and mitochondria structure and their dynamics, (ii) the basic principles of ER mitochondrial Ca(2+) transport, (iii) the physiological/pathological role of this cross-talk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of General Pathology, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Inflammation (ICSI) and Emilia Romagna Laboratory BioPharmaNet, University of Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Stefani
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bononi
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzuto
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pinton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological