Sirtuin-1 Regulates Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Through Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake 1 (MICU1)

Mitochondria play a central role in cell biological processes, functioning not only as producers of ATP but also as regulators of Ca2+ signaling. Mitochondrial calcium uptake occurs primarily through the mitochondrial calcium uniporter channel (mtCU), with the mitochondrial calcium uptake subunits 1, 2, and 3 (MICU1, MICU2, and MICU3) serving as the main regulatory components. Dysregulated mitochondrial calcium uptake is a hallmark of cellular degeneration. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a key regulator of cellular metabolism, plays a critical role in aging and various neurodegenerative conditions. By blocking SIRT1 using EX527 or shSIRT1, we observed mitochondrial structural fragmentation as well as intensified and prolonged mitochondrial calcium overload. Our study revealed a direct interaction between SIRT1 and MICU1. Notably, SIRT1 inhibition resulted in reduced MICU1 expression, hence led to mitochondrial calcium overload, illustrating the unconventional role of SIRT1 in governing mitochondrial function.