The mitochondrial respiratory chain controls intracellular calcium signaling and NFAT activity essential for heart formation in Xenopus laevis.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) plays crucial roles in cellular energy production. However, its function in early embryonic development remains largely unknown. To address this issue, GRIM-19, a newly identified MRC complex I subunit, was knocked down in Xenopus laevis embryos. A severe deficiency in heart formation was observed, and the deficiency could be rescued by reintroducing human GRIM-19 mRNA. The mechanism involved was further investigated. We found that the activity of NFAT, a transcription factor family that contributes to early organ development, was downregulated in GRIM-19 knockdown embryos. Furthermore, the expression of a constitutively active form of mouse NFATc4 in these embryos rescued the heart developmental defects. NFAT activity is controlled by a calcium-de

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2099623 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature