Life & Chemical Sciences Seminars
Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria Ca2+ crosstalk in the
control of the tumor cell fate
Prof. Paolo Pinton
Dept. of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology,
Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. email:
[email protected]
(ospite Prof. AM. Porcelli)
Venerdì 5 maggio 2017 ore 14:30 – Aula 1,Via Belmeloro 6
Siete invitati a partecipare e a diffondere tra i collaboratori
Abstract
Mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) are juxtaposed between the endoplasmic reticulum and
mitochondria and have been identified as a critical hub in the regulation of cell death and tumor growth.
Importantly, a drastic dysregulation in Ca2+ signaling has been associated to different pathological states
implying that Ca2+ communication between ER and mitochondria is vital for the physiological
functioning of several intracellular processes. One key function of MAMs is to provide asylum to a
number of proteins with tumor suppressor and oncogenic properties. I will discuss how manipulation of
Ca2+ fluxes represents a key mechanism underlying the action of several oncogenes and tumorsuppressor genes.
Biosketch
Paolo Pinton is full professor of General Pathology at the University of Ferrara. Prof. Pinton has an
established international recognition in the field of Ca2+ signaling and cell death pathways. On the
specific topic of the role of Ca2+ in apoptosis, he has made the seminal observation of the role of
oncogenes and oncosupressors in regulating the Ca2+ homeostasis published in high impact journals
(Science, Cell, Nature Medicine, PNAS). As to the methodologies, the work proposed in the current
project will utilize approaches that are original contributions of the PI. The laboratory has widely
recognized experience in the field of digital imaging, thus allowing a detailed analysis of the complex
dynamics of Ca2+ signals (as well as other physiological parameters and/or distribution of GFP-tagged
effector proteins). The laboratory (www.unife.it/labs/signaltransduction) includes other 16 scientists (2
Assistant Professors, 2 technicians, 6 Post-docs, 6 Phd Students).
Commissione Ricerca e Attività Correlate