Baughman 2011 Nature

Baughman JM, Perocchi F, Girgis HS, Plovanich M, Belcher-Timme CA, Sancak Y, Bao XR, Strittmatter L, Goldberger O, Bogorad RL, Koteliansky V, Mootha VK (2011) Integrative genomics identifies MCU as an essential component of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Nature 476: 341-345

» PMID: 21685886

Baughman JM, Perocchi F, Girgis HS, Plovanich M, Belcher-Timme CA, Sancak Y, Bao XR, Strittmatter L, Goldberger O, Bogorad RL, Koteliansky V, Mootha VK (2011) Nature

Abstract: Mitochondria from diverse organisms are capable of transporting large amounts of Ca²⁺ 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 Ca²⁺ 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 Ca²⁺ uniporter. • Keywords: Mitochondria, calcium, genomics

Labels: MiParea: nDNA;cell genetics, Genetic knockout;overexpression 

Organism: Human, Mouse  Tissue;cell: Endothelial; Epithelial; Mesothelial Cell"Endothelial; Epithelial; Mesothelial Cell" is not in the list (Heart, Skeletal muscle, Nervous system, Liver, Kidney, Lung;gill, Islet cell;pancreas;thymus, Endothelial;epithelial;mesothelial cell, Blood cells, Fat, ...) of allowed values for the "Tissue and cell" property.  Preparation: Intact cells, Permeabilized cells, Permeabilized tissue, Isolated Mitochondria"Isolated Mitochondria" is not in the list (Intact organism, Intact organ, Permeabilized cells, Permeabilized tissue, Homogenate, Isolated mitochondria, SMP, Chloroplasts, Enzyme, Oxidase;biochemical oxidation, ...) of allowed values for the "Preparation" property.  Enzyme: Inner mtMembrane Transporter"Inner mtMembrane Transporter" is not in the list (Adenine nucleotide translocase, Complex I, Complex II;succinate dehydrogenase, Complex III, Complex IV;cytochrome c oxidase, Complex V;ATP synthase, Inner mt-membrane transporter, Marker enzyme, Supercomplex, TCA cycle and matrix dehydrogenases, ...) of allowed values for the "Enzyme" property., TCA Cycle and Matrix Dehydrogenases"TCA Cycle and Matrix Dehydrogenases" is not in the list (Adenine nucleotide translocase, Complex I, Complex II;succinate dehydrogenase, Complex III, Complex IV;cytochrome c oxidase, Complex V;ATP synthase, Inner mt-membrane transporter, Marker enzyme, Supercomplex, TCA cycle and matrix dehydrogenases, ...) of allowed values for the "Enzyme" property.  Regulation: Ion;substrate transport, mt-Membrane potential  Coupling state: LEAK, OXPHOS