The function of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter in neurodegenerative disorders

Y Liao, Y Dong, J Cheng - International journal of molecular sciences, 2017 - mdpi.com
Y Liao, Y Dong, J Cheng
International journal of molecular sciences, 2017mdpi.com
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU)—a calcium uniporter on the inner membrane of
mitochondria—controls the mitochondrial calcium uptake in normal and abnormal situations.
Mitochondrial calcium is essential for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP);
however, excessive calcium will induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Calcium homeostasis
disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in many neurodegenerative disorders.
However, the role and regulatory mechanism of the MCU in the development of these …
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU)—a calcium uniporter on the inner membrane of mitochondria—controls the mitochondrial calcium uptake in normal and abnormal situations. Mitochondrial calcium is essential for the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP); however, excessive calcium will induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Calcium homeostasis disruption and mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in many neurodegenerative disorders. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of the MCU in the development of these diseases are obscure. In this review, we summarize the role of the MCU in controlling oxidative stress-elevated mitochondrial calcium and its function in neurodegenerative disorders. Inhibition of the MCU signaling pathway might be a new target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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