User:MrFresh99/Mitochondrial calcium uniporter

MICU1
The mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1) is a single pass membrane protein, it contains 2 binding domains. This protein was first discovered before the MCU by only a few months. MICU1 was used as a bait to figure out what the core of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter was. Once both MICU1 and MCU were discovered scientists made some intriguing discoveries in regards to the two proteins. Both MICU1 and MCU share similar RNA sequences, same pattern of expression, and they both interact with one another in the intermitochondrial membrane. It was first found through the use of siRNA screening of the membrane. The functions of MICU1 are still being studied; however, there are some important functions MICU1 plays in the intermitochondrial membrane. MICU1 helps to stabilize the entire mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex, it also limits the amount of calcium that enters the cell during low concentrations of calcium. However, along with limiting the entry of calcium into the mitochondrial matrix, it functions alongside MCU to keep the accumulated calcium inside the matrix of the mitochondria.

MICU2
Mitochondrial calcium uptake 2 (MICU2) is another intermitochondrial membrane protein. It works alongside MICU1 and contains roughly 25% of the same DNA sequence. MICU2 works with MICU1 and MCU to reduce the amount of calcium coming into the matrix. It is shown that when both MICU1 and MICU2 are sequestered there is reduced calcium; however, whenevr MICU1 is sequestered and MICU2 is activated, normal calcium flow. It is also shown that all three, MCU, MICU1, and MICU2 are part of a single complex, the mitochondrial calcium uniport complex resumes. Research using a CRISPR/Cas9 technqie has found that MICU1 and MICU2 play other roles as well. They are essential for cell growth, cell invasion, and cell replication.