Calcium and bioenergetics: from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria

Abstract

Abstract Controlling metabolism throughout life is a necessity for living creatures, and perturbation of energy balance elicits disorders such as type-2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Ca2+ plays a key role in regulating energy generation. Ca2+ homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen is maintained through the action of Ca2+ channels and the Ca2+ ATPase pump. Once released from the ER, Ca2+ is taken up by mitochondria where it facilitates energy metabolism. Mitochondrial Ca2+ serves as a key metabolic regulator and determinant of cell fate, necrosis, and/or apoptosis. Here, we focus on Ca2+ transport from the ER to mitochondria, and Ca2+-dependent regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism.