title: New insights in mitochondrial calcium handling by sodium/calcium exchanger.
abstract: Mitochondria are now recognized as one of the main intracellular calcium-storing organelles which play a key role in the intracellular calcium signalling. Indeed, besides performing oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria are able to sense and shape calcium (Ca(2+)) transients, thus controlling cytosolic Ca(2+) signals and Ca(2+)-dependent protein activity. It has been well established for many years that mitochondria have a huge capacity to accumulate calcium. While the physiological significance of this pathway was hotly debated until relatively recently, it is now clear that the ability of mitochondria in calcium handling is a ubiquitous phenomenon described in every cell system in which the issue has been addressed.In this chapter, we will review the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of mitochondrial calcium cycling in physiological conditions with particular regard to the role played by the mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Federico II University of Naples-National Institute of Neuroscience, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scorziello
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savoia
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Secondo
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boscia
authors.forename: Maria Josè
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sisalli
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carlucci
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Molinaro
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lignitto
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Renzo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feliciello
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Annunziato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D019831:Sodium-Calcium Exchanger; D002118:Calcium