Adam Bartok

Abstract The Ca2+ permeable cation channel TRPM2 is expressed in neurons of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center, and contributes to body temperature regulation. Its activation gate opens upon binding of cytosolic Ca2+ and ADP ribose, but its distinct inactivation gate closes upon prolonged ligand exposure.

Abstract Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts (ERMCs) are restructured in response to changes in cell state. While this restructuring has been implicated as a cause or consequence of pathology in numerous systems, the underlying molecular dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we show means to visualize the capture of motile IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) at ERMCs and document the immediate consequences for calcium signaling and metabolism.

Abstract Contact sites of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria locally convey calcium signals between the IP3 receptors (IP3R) and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, and are central to cell survival. It remains unclear whether IP3Rs also have a structural role in contact formation and whether the different IP3R isoforms have redundant functions.