title: Molecular diversity and pleiotropic role of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.
abstract: The long awaited molecular identification of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) in 2011 has opened an exciting phase in the study of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis. On the one hand, MCU proved to be the core of a complex signaling system, composed of a channel moiety (MCU itself and the related MCUb protein) and a family of essential regulators (the MICUs, MCUR, EMRE). On the other hand, the availability of molecular information and tools opened the possibility of directly altering mitochondrial calcium homeostasis in cell cultures or intact organisms, thus obtaining new insight into its role in physiological and pathological events. We will review here these exciting advancements, summarizing the current knowledge of the molecular composition of the MCU complex and of its role in shaping mitochondrial and cytosolic [Ca(2+)] signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. Electronic address: rosario.rizzuto@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rizzuto
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; C585180:SMDT1 protein, human; C034703:mitochondrial calcium uniporter; D002118:Calcium
keywords: Calcium; Cell death; Mitochondria; Organelle; Signaling