Mitochondrial [Ca(2+)] oscillations driven by local high [Ca(2+)] domains generated by spontaneous electric activity

J Biol Chem. 2001 Oct 26;276(43):40293-7. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C100465200. Epub 2001 Sep 10.

Abstract

Mitochondria take up calcium during cell activation thus shaping Ca(2+) signaling and exocytosis. In turn, Ca(2+) uptake by mitochondria increases respiration and ATP synthesis. Targeted aequorins are excellent Ca(2+) probes for subcellular analysis, but single-cell imaging has proven difficult. Here we combine virus-based expression of targeted aequorins with photon-counting imaging to resolve dynamics of the cytosolic, mitochondrial, and nuclear Ca(2+) signals at the single-cell level in anterior pituitary cells. These cells exhibit spontaneous electric activity and cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations that are responsible for basal secretion of pituitary hormones and are modulated by hypophysiotrophic factors. Aequorin reported spontaneous [Ca(2+)] oscillations in all the three compartments, bulk cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria. Interestingly, a fraction of mitochondria underwent much larger [Ca(2+)] oscillations, which were driven by local high [Ca(2+)] domains generated by the spontaneous electric activity. These oscillations were large enough to stimulate respiration, providing the basis for local tune-up of mitochondrial function by the Ca(2+) signal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aequorin / biosynthesis
  • Aequorin / genetics
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / cytology
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Hormones / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Pituitary Hormones
  • Aequorin