The contribution of mitochondrial calcium ion exchange to relaxation of tension in cardiac muscle.

The possible contribution of mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation and release to contractile phenomena has been investigated. Two intracellular fractions of Ca2+ sequestration can be identified in cardiac myocytes, one ascribed to mitochondria. Two modes of Ca2+ transport exist within the mitochondrial fraction, one dependent upon mitochondrial respiration and the other upon extramitochondrial [Na+]. Experiments with trabeculae show that under appropriate conditions, the rate of relaxation and the amount of tension developed is dependent on these two modes of Ca2+ transport. A model is presented quantifying the contribution of the mitochondria to relaxation.