Mitochondrial calcium uptake declines during aging and is directly activated by oleuropein to boost energy metabolism and skeletal muscle performance

Abstract

Mitochondrial calcium (mtCa²⁺) uptake via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) couples calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism. mtCa²⁺ uptake via MCU is rate-limiting for mitochondrial activation during muscle contraction, but its pathophysiological role and therapeutic application remain largely uncharacterized. By profiling human muscle biopsies, patient-derived myotubes, and preclinical models, we discovered a conserved downregulation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter regulator 1 (MCUR1) during skeletal muscle aging that associates with human sarcopenia and impairs mtCa²⁺ uptake and mitochondrial respiration. Through a screen of 5,000 bioactive molecules, we identify the natural polyphenol oleuropein as a specific MCU activator that stimulates mitochondrial respiration via mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1) binding. Oleuropein activates mtCa²⁺ uptake and energy metabolism to enhance endurance and reduce fatigue in young and aged mice but not in muscle-specific MCU knockout (KO) mice. Our work demonstrates that impaired mtCa²⁺ uptake contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction during aging and establishes oleuropein as a novel food-derived molecule that specifically targets MCU to stimulate mitochondrial bioenergetics and muscle performance.