MODULATION OF CELL CALCIUM SIGNALS BY MITOCHONDRIA

It is now clearer and clearer that mitochondria play a role, and perha ps an active role, in cell calcium signalling. The fact that mitochond ria can exhibit a Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (mCICR, Ichas et al. [37]) reinforces this concept and makes the mitochondria an essential eleme nt in the relay of Ca2+ wave propagation. It must be emphasized that t he modulation of cell Ca2+ signals by mitochondria depends upon their energetic status, thus making mitochondria an essential link between e nergy metabolism and calcium signalling inside the cell.