MCUB Hearts Mitochondria in Sickness, Less in Health.

Because MCUB deletion increases cooperative activation and uptake rate when mitochondria are exposed to high Ca SP 2+ sp conditions, MCUB SP -/- sp cells are poised to mCa SP 2+ sp overload and permeability transition pore opening. Consequently, mitochondria from these hearts show reduced mCa SP 2+ sp amount and uptake rate following a Ca SP 2+ sp bolus. Lambert and colleagues correlated the cardioprotection afforded by enforced MCUB expression to reduced opening of the permeability transition pore upon a high Ca SP 2+ sp bolus challenge. In pathologic conditions, such as I/R injury, MCUB overexpression prevents mCa2+ overload and permeability transition pore opening, thus affording cardioprotection. [Extracted from the article]