Scientists discover structural clues to calcium regulation in cells
Friday, August 26, 2016 - 05:01
in Biology & Nature
The process of energy generation by mitochondria is closely tied to intracellular calcium regulation by a membrane gateway inside mitochondria known as the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU). How MCU regulates calcium uptake has been unclear, but the recent structural discovery of a key MCU domain points toward the involvement of two ions -- calcium and magnesium -- opening new paths to the development of MCU-modulating agents for the treatment of diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction.