Channel-forming and calcium-conducting subunit of the mitochondrial inner membrane calcium uniporter complex (uniplex) that mediates calcium uptake into the mitochondrial matrix (PubMed:21685886, PubMed:21685888, PubMed:22822213, PubMed:22829870, PubMed:22904319, PubMed:23101630, PubMed:23178883, PubMed:23755363, PubMed:24332854, PubMed:24560927, PubMed:26341627). MCU channel activity is regulated by MICU1 and MICU2 subunits of the uniplex. At low Ca(2+) levels MCU activity is down-regulated by MICU1 and MICU2; at higher Ca(2+) levels MICU1 increases MCU activity (PubMed:24560927, PubMed:26903221). Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis plays key roles in cellular physiology and regulates cell bioenergetics, cytoplasmic calcium signals and activation of cell death pathways. Involved in buffering the amplitude of systolic calcium rises in cardiomyocytes (PubMed:22822213). While dispensable for baseline homeostatic cardiac function, acts as a key regulator of short-term mitochondrial calcium loading underlying a ‘fight-or-flight’ response during acute stress: acts by mediating a rapid increase of mitochondrial calcium in pacemaker cells (PubMed:25603276). participates in mitochondrial permeability transition during ischemia-reperfusion injury (By similarity). Regulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells by regulating mitochondrial calcium uptake (PubMed:22829870, PubMed:22904319). Mitochondrial calcium uptake in skeletal muscle cells is involved in muscle size in adults (By similarity). Regulates synaptic vesicle endocytosis kinetics in central nerve terminal (By similarity). Involved in antigen processing and presentation (By similarity).
