Restoring calcium crosstalk between ER and mitochondria promotes intestinal stem cell rejuvenation through autophagy in aged Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Breakdown of calcium network is closely associated with cellular aging. Previously, we found that cytosolic calcium (CytoCa²⁺) levels were elevated while mitochondrial calcium (MitoCa²⁺) levels were decreased and associated with metabolic shift in aged intestinal stem cells (ISCs) of Drosophila. How MitoCa²⁺ was decoupled from the intracellular calcium network and whether the reduction of MitoCa²⁺ drives ISC aging, however, remains unresolved. Here, we show that genetically restoring MitoCa²⁺ can reverse ISC functional decline and promote intestinal homeostasis by activating autophagy in aged flies. Further studies indicate that MitoCa²⁺ and Mitochondria-ER contacts (MERCs) form a positive feedback loop via IP3R to regulate

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12116733 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature