Crosstalk signaling between mitochondrial Ca2+ and ROS

Mitochondria are central to energy metabolism as the source of much of the cell's ATP, as well as being a hub for cellular Ca2+ signaling. Mitochondrial Ca2+ is a positive effector of ATP synthesis, yet Ca2+ overload can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Moreover, Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria is involved in shaping cellular Ca2+ dynamics by regulating the concentrations of Ca2+ within microdomains between mitochondria and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane Ca2+ transporters. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated as a consequence of ATP production in the mitochondria are important for cellular signaling, yet contribute to oxidative stress and cellular damage. ROS regulate the activity of redox sensitive enzymes and ion channels within the cell, including Ca2+ channels. For both Ca2+ and ROS, a delicate balance exists between the beneficial and detrimental effects on mitochondria. In this review we bring together current data on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, ROS generation, and redox modulation of Ca2+ transport proteins. We present a model for crosstalk between Ca2+ and ROS signaling pathways within mitochondrial microdomains.