title: Calcium-dependent mitochondrial extrusion in ciliated protozoa.
abstract: Here we demonstrate that ciliated protozoa can jettison mitochondria as intact organelles, releasing their contents to the extracellular space either in a soluble form, or in association with membrane vesicles at the cell periphery. The response is triggered by lateral clustering of GPI-anchored surface antigens, or by heat shock. In the first instance, extrusion is accompanied by elevated levels of intracellular calcium and is inhibited by Verapamil and BAPTA-AM arguing strongly for the involvement of calcium in triggering the response. Cells survive mitochondrial discharge raising the interesting possibility that extrusion is an early evolutionary adaptation to cell stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ybisharyan@tetragenetics.com
authors.forename: Yelena
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bisharyan
authors.forename: Theodore G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016798:Ciliophora / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium