High-sensitivity calcium biosensor on the mitochondrial surface reveals that IP3R channels participate in the reticular Ca(2+) leak towards mitochondria

Genetically encoded biosensors based on fluorescent proteins (FPs) are widely used to monitor dynamics and sub-cellular spatial distribution of calcium ion (Ca(2+)) fluxes and their role in intracellular signaling pathways. The development of different mutations in the Ca(2+)-sensitive elements of the cameleon probes has allowed sensitive range of Ca(2+) measurements in almost all cellular compartments. Region of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tethered to mitochondria, named as the mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs), has received an extended attention since the last 5 years. Indeed, as MAMs are essential for calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function, molecular tools have been developed to assess quantitatively Ca(2+) levels in the MAMs. However, sensitivity of the first generation Ca(2+) biosensors on the surface of the outer-mitochondrial membrane (OMM) do not allow to measure μM or sub-μM changes in Ca(2+) concentration which prevents to measure the native activity (unstimulated exogenously) of endogenous channels. In this study, we assembled a new ratiometric highly sensitive Ca(2+) biosensor expressed on the surface of the outer-mitochondrial membrane (OMM). It allows the detection of smaller differences than the previous biosensor in or at proximity of the MAMs. Noteworthy, we demonstrated that IP3-receptors have an endogenous activity which participate to the Ca(2+) leak channel on the surface of the OMM during hypoxia or when SERCA activity is blocked.