Nearly 2 decades since its discovery as one of the genes responsible for the Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (WHS), the primary function of the leucine-zipper EF-hand containing transmembrane 1 (LETM1) protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) or the mechanism by which it regulates mitochondrial Ca2+ handling is unresolved. Meanwhile, LETM1 has been associated with the regulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as development, cellular respiration and metabolism, and apoptosis. This mini-review summarizes the diversity of cellular functions impacted by LETM1 and highlights the multiple roles of LETM1 in health and disease.
Keywords: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome; bioenergetics; cancer biology; carboxy-terminal-modulator-protein; cell metabolism; leucine-zipper EF-hand containing transmembrane 1; mitochondrial calcium handling; mitochondrial calcium hydrogen exchanger; mitochondrial potassium hydrogen exchanger.
Copyright © 2021 Natarajan, Mishra, Camara and Kwok.