IPreceptors,mitochondria,and Ca2+ signaling: Implications for aging

The tight interplay between endoplasmic-reticulum-(er-) and mitochondria-mediated ca2+ signaling is a key determinant of cellular health and cellular fate through the control of apoptosis and autophagy. proteins that prevent or promote apoptosis and autophagy can affect intracellular ca2+ dynamics and homeostasis through binding and modulation of the intracellular ca2+-release and ca 2+-uptake mechanisms. during aging,oxidative stress becomes an additional factor that affects er and mitochondrial function and thus their role in ca2+ signaling. importantly,mitochondrial dysfunction and sustained mitochondrial damage are likely to underlie part of the aging process. in this paper,we will discuss the different mechanisms that control intracellular ca2+ signaling with respect to apoptosis and autophagy and review how these processes are affected during aging through accumulation of reactive oxygen species. © 2011 jean-paul decuypere et al.