InsP3R, the calcium whisperer: Maintaining mitochondrial function in cancer

Mol Cell Oncol. 2016 May 11;3(4):e1185563. doi: 10.1080/23723556.2016.1185563. eCollection 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Mitochondrial metabolism is essential to fulfill the large demand for macromolecule biosynthesis in cancer. We recently identified low-level InsP3R-mediated Ca(2+) transfer to mitochondria as an unexpected requirement for mitochondrial function. Here we reveal that its absence specifically targets cancer cells and causes necrosis at daughter cell separation during ongoing proliferation.

Keywords: AMPK; MCU; OXPHOS; autophagy; cell cycle; necrosis.