The versatility of mitochondrial calcium signals: from stimulation of cell metabolism to induction of cell death.

Both the contribution of mitochondria to intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) signalling and the role of mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake in shaping the cytoplasmic response and controlling mitochondrial function are areas of intense investigation. These studies rely on the appropriate use of emerging techniques coupled with judicious data interpretation to a large extent. The development of targeted probes based on the molecular engineering of luminescent proteins has allowed the specific measurement of Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]) and adenosine trisphosphate concentration ([ATP]) in intracellular organelles or cytoplasmic subdomains. This approach has given novel information on different aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis.