Zhang L, Qi J, Zhang X, Zhao X, An P, Luo Y, Luo J. The Regulatory Roles of Mitochondrial Calcium and the Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter in Tumor Cells.
Int J Mol Sci 2022;
23:ijms23126667. [PMID:
35743109 PMCID:
PMC9223557 DOI:
10.3390/ijms23126667]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria, as the main site of cellular energy metabolism and the generation of oxygen free radicals, are the key switch for mitochondria-mediated endogenous apoptosis. Ca2+ is not only an important messenger for cell proliferation, but it is also an indispensable signal for cell death. Ca2+ participates in and plays a crucial role in the energy metabolism, physiology, and pathology of mitochondria. Mitochondria control the uptake and release of Ca2+ through channels/transporters, such as the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), and influence the concentration of Ca2+ in both mitochondria and cytoplasm, thereby regulating cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Mitochondrial Ca2+ transport-related processes are involved in important biological processes of tumor cells including proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis. In particular, MCU and its regulatory proteins represent a new era in the study of MCU-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis in tumors. Through an in-depth analysis of the close correlation between mitochondrial Ca2+ and energy metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis of tumor cells, we can provide a valuable reference for further understanding of how mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation helps diagnosis and therapy.
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