The mitochondrial Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, NCLX, regulates automaticity of HL-1 cardiomyocytes

The destiny of Ca(2+) released by mitochondria

Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ is known to regulate diverse cellular functions, for example energy production and cell death, by modulating mitochondrial dehydrogenases, inducing production of reactive oxygen species, and opening mitochondrial permeability transition pores. In addition to the action of Ca²⁺ within mitochondria, Ca²⁺ released from mitochondria is also important in a variety of cellular functions. In the last 5 years, the molecules responsible for mitochondrial Ca²⁺ dynamics have been identified: a mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU), a mitochondrial Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCLX), and a candidate for a mitochondrial H⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger (Letm1). In this review, we focus on the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ release system, and discuss its physiological and pathophysiological significance. Accumulating evidence suggests that the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ release system is not only crucial in maintaining mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis but also participates in the Ca²⁺ crosstalk between mitochondria and the plasma membrane and between mitochondria and the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum.