Mitochondrial membrane transport protein

Mitochondrial membrane transport proteins are proteins which exist in the membranes of mitochondria and which serve to transport^[1] molecules and other factors such as ions into or out of the organelles.

Examples

Examples of mitochondrial transport proteins include the following:

• The mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which opens in response to increased mitochondrial calcium (Ca²⁺) load and oxidative stress^[2]
• The mitochondrial calcium uniporter which transports calcium from the cytosol of the cell into the mitochondrial matrix^[2][3]
• The mitochondrial sodium/calcium exchanger, which carries Ca²⁺ ions out of the matrix in exchange for Na⁺ ions. These transport proteins serve to maintain the proper electrical and chemical gradients in mitochondria by keeping ions and other factors in the right balance between the inside and outside of mitochondria.

See also

• Mitochondrial carrier
• Membrane transport protein

References

1. Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
2. Crompton M. 1999. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore and its role in cell death. Biochemical Journal. Volume 341, Pages 233-249. PMID 10393078. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
3. Nicholls DG. 2005. Mitochondria and calcium signaling. Cell Calcium, Volume 38, Issues 3-4, Pages 311-317. PMID 16087232. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.