Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1952200 Biochimie 2011 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

Mitochondria sense and shape cytosolic Ca2+ signals by taking up and subsequently releasing Ca2+ ions during physiological and pathological Ca2+ elevations. Sustained elevations in the mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ concentration are increasingly recognized as a defining feature of the intracellular cascade of lethal events that occur in neurons during cerebral ischemia. Here, we review the recently identified transport proteins that mediate the fluxes of Ca2+ across mitochondria and discuss the implication of the permeability transition pore in decoding the abnormally sustained mitochondrial Ca2+ elevations that occur during cerebral ischemia.

► Mitochondria sequester Ca2+ ions during cellular Ca2+ signals. ► Increased matrix [Ca2+] might contribute to neurotoxicity during brain ischemia. ► Transport proteins that move Ca2+ ions into mitochondria have been identified. ► Excessive mitochondrial Ca2+ elevations might open the permeability transition pore.

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