The destiny of Ca2+ 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.