Modulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by estrogen receptor agonists and antagonists

Abstract

Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria is a key element in the control ofcellular Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+-dependent phenomena. It has been known for many years that this Ca2+ uptake is mediated by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, a specific Ca2+ channel ofthe inner mitochondrial membrane. We have shown previously that this channel is strongly activated by a series ofnatural phytoestrogenic flavonoids. We show here that several agonists and antagonists of estrogen receptors (ERs) also modulate the activity ofthe uniporter.