title: Molecules and roles of mitochondrial calcium signaling.
abstract: Mitochondrial Ca(2+) homeostasis is an important component of the calcium-mediated cellular response to extracellular stimuli. It controls key organelle functions, such as aerobic metabolism and the induction of apoptotic cell death, and shapes the spatiotemporal pattern of the cytosolic [Ca(2+)] increase. We here summarize both the main roles of Ca(2+) signals within mitochondria and the emerging molecular information that is starting to unravel the composition of the signaling apparatus and reveal potential pharmacological targets in this process of utmost pathophysiological relevance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Neuroscience Institute of the National Research Council, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mammucari
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patron
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Granatiero
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzuto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological