Project A20 - Martin van der Laan

Mitochondrial membrane scaffolds as central nodes of intracellular Ca2+ signaling

Mitochondria regulate intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and depend on Ca2+ uptake for optimal bioenergetic performance. We study the role of the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS), a major determinant of mitochondrial membrane architecture, for Ca2+ handling.

Based on our finding that MICOS is required for correct positioning of Ca2+ transporters within mitochondria, we propose that MICOS and its interacting partners, like SLC25A46, act as central coordinators of mitochondrial membrane protein sorting to safeguard efficient Ca2+ cycling.