A Putative Prohibitin-Calcium Nexus in β-Cell Mitochondria and Diabetes

Abstract EN

The role of mitochondria in apoptosis is well known; however, the mechanisms linking mitochondria to the proapoptotic effects of proinflammatory cytokines, hyperglycemia, and glucolipotoxicity are not completely understood.

Complex Ca2+ signaling has emerged as a critical contributor to these proapoptotic effects and has gained significant attention in regulating the signaling processes of mitochondria.

In pancreatic β-cells, Ca2+ plays an active role in β-cell function and survival.

Prohibitin (PHB), a mitochondrial chaperone, is actively involved in maintaining the architecture of mitochondria.

However, its possible interaction with Ca2+-activated signaling pathways has not been explored.

The present review aims to examine potential crosstalk between Ca2+ signaling and PHB function in pancreatic β-cells.

Moreover, this review will focus on the effects of cytokines and glucolipotoxicity on Ca2+ signaling and its possible interaction with PHB.

Improved understanding of this important mitochondrial protein may aid in the design of more targeted drugs to identify specific pathways involved with stress-induced dysfunction in the β-cell.