Mitochondrial membrane transport proteins are proteins which exist in the membranes of mitochondria and which serve to transport molecules and other factors such as ions into or out of the organelles.

Examples

Examples of mitochondrial transport proteins include the following:

• The mitochondrial permeability transition pore, which opens in response to increased mitochondrial calcium (Ca²⁺) load and oxidative stress
• The mitochondrial calcium uniporter which transports calcium from the cytosol of the cell into the mitochondrial matrix
• The mitochondrial sodium/calcium exchanger, which carries Ca²⁺ ions out of the matrix in exchange for Na⁺ ions. These transport proteins serve to maintain the proper electrical and chemical gradients in mitochondria by keeping ions and other factors in the right balance between the inside and outside of mitochondria.

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