A Putative Prohibitin-Calcium Nexus in β-Cell Mitochondria and Diabetes

The role of mitochondria in apoptosis is well known; however, the mechanisms linking mitochondria to the proapoptotic effects of proinflammatory cytokines, hyperglycemia, and glucolipotoxicity are not completely understood. Complex Ca(2+) signaling has emerged as a critical contributor to these proapoptotic effects and has gained significant attention in regulating the signaling processes of mitochondria. In pancreatic β-cells, Ca(2+) plays an active role in β-cell function and survival. Prohibitin (PHB), a mitochondrial chaperone, is actively involved in maintaining the architecture of mitochondria. However, its possible interaction with Ca(2+)-activated signaling pathways has not been explored. The present review aims to examine potential crosstalk between Ca(2+) signaling and PHB function in pancreatic β-cells. Moreover, this review will focus on the effects of cytokines and glucolipotoxicity on Ca(2+) signaling and its possible interaction with PHB. Improved understanding of this important mitochondrial protein may aid in the design of more targeted drugs to identify specific pathways involved with stress-induced dysfunction in the β-cell.