MCUR1 is an essential component of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake that regulates cellular metabolism

Abstract

Ca2+ flux across the mitochondrial inner membrane regulates bioenergetics, cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals and activation of cell death pathways1–11. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake occurs at regions of close apposition with intracellular Ca2+ release sites 12–14, driven by the inner membrane voltage generated by oxidative phosphorylation and mediated by a Ca2+ selective ion channel (MiCa15) called the uniporter16–18 whose complete molecular identity remains unknown. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) was recently identified as the likely ion-conducting pore19, 20. In addition, MICU1 was identified as a mitochondrial regulator of uniporter-mediated Ca2+ uptake in HeLa cells 21. Here we identified CCDC90A, hereafter referred to as MCUR1 (Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Regulator 1), an integral membrane protein required for MCU-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. MCUR1 binds to MCU and regulates ruthenium red-sensitive MCU-dependent Ca2+ uptake. MCUR1 knockdown does not alter MCU localization, but abrogates Ca2+ uptake by energized mitochondria in intact and permeabilized cells. Ablation of MCUR1 disrupts oxidative phosphorylation, lowers cellular ATP, and activates AMP kinase-dependent pro-survival autophagy. Thus, MCUR1 is a critical component of a mitochondrial uniporter channel complex required for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and maintenance of normal cellular bioenergetics.