Integrative genomics identifies MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter.

Nature
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Mitochondria from diverse organisms are capable of transporting large amounts of Ca(2+) via a ruthenium-red-sensitive, membrane-potential-dependent mechanism called the uniporter. Although the uniporter's biophysical properties have been studied extensively, its molecular composition remains elusive. We recently used comparative proteomics to identify MICU1 (also known as CBARA1), an EF-hand-containing protein that serves as a putative regulator of the uniporter. Here, we use whole-genome phylogenetic profiling, genome-wide RNA co-expression analysis and organelle-wide protein coexpression analysis to predict proteins functionally related to MICU1. All three methods converge on a novel predicted transmembrane protein, CCDC109A, that we now call 'mitochondrial calcium uniporter' (MCU). MCU forms oligomers in the mitochondrial inner membrane, physically interacts with MICU1, and resides within a large molecular weight complex. Silencing MCU in cultured cells or in vivo in mouse liver severely abrogates mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, whereas mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential remain fully intact. MCU has two predicted transmembrane helices, which are separated by a highly conserved linker facing the intermembrane space. Acidic residues in this linker are required for its full activity. However, an S259A point mutation retains function but confers resistance to Ru360, the most potent inhibitor of the uniporter. Our genomic, physiological, biochemical and pharmacological data firmly establish MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter.

Year of Publication
2011
Journal
Nature
Volume
476
Issue
7360
Pages
341-5
Date Published
2011 Jun 19
ISSN
1476-4687
URL
DOI
10.1038/nature10234
PubMed ID
21685886
PubMed Central ID
PMC3486726
Links
Grant list
GM0077465 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R24 DK080261 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM077465-01A1 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
DK080261 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM077465 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States