Mitochondria and the heart

Abstract

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter is a key controller of cell life and death. Mitochondrial calcium loading controls aerobic metabolism and thus ATP provision to cells. At the same time, it may trigger cell death, because mitochondrial calcium overload induces mitochondrial depolarization, release of cytochrome c, and apoptosis or bioenergetic collapse and necrotic cell death. © 2011 The Author.