Mitochondria and chromaffin cell function.

Chromaffin cells are an excellent model for stimulus-secretion coupling. Ca(2+) entry through plasma membrane voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCC) is the trigger for secretion, but the intracellular organelles contribute subtle nuances to the Ca(2+) signal. The endoplasmic reticulum amplifies the cytosolic Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)) signal by Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) and helps generation of microdomains with high Ca(2+) (HCMD) at the subplasmalemmal region. These HCMD induce exocytosis of the docked secretory vesicles. Mitochondria close to VOCC take up large amounts of Ca(2+) from HCMD and stop progression of the Ca(2+) wave towards the cell core. On the other hand, the increase of [Ca(2+)] at the mitochondrial matrix stimulates respiration and tunes energy production to the increased needs of the exocytic activity. At the end of stimulation, Ca(2+) decreases rapidly and mitochondria release the Ca(2+) accumulated in the matrix through the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. VOCC, CICR sites and nearby mitochondria form functional triads that co-localize at the subplasmalemmal area, where secretory vesicles wait ready for exocytosis. These triads optimize stimulus-secretion coupling while avoiding propagation of the Ca(2+) signal to the cell core. Perturbation of their functioning in neurons may contribute to the genesis of excitotoxicity, ageing mental retardation and/or neurodegenerative disorders.