Exploring the role of mitochondrial contact sites on calcium and redox signaling in cancer (P17)

细胞器结构、动力学和隔室间的通讯是控制细胞功能的基本参数。因此，线粒体和内质网(ER)起着核心作用，可以被认为是细胞内隔室组装、动力学和信号转导的主要调节因素。然而，与癌症相关的细胞器重新编程所涉及的信号机制和分子参与者的身份还没有完全了解。本项目旨在(I)描述健康黑素细胞和癌变黑色素瘤细胞中线粒体的结构和组织，(Ii)研究线粒体接触位点在隔室钙信号和氧化还原信号中的作用，以及(Iii)研究它们在黑色素瘤病理生物学中的作用。

Organelle architecture, dynamics and inter-compartmental communication are essential parameters that govern cellular function. Hereby, mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) play a central role and can be considered as master regulators of intracellular compartmental assembly, dynamics and signalling. However, the identity of the signalling mechanisms and the molecular players involved in the cancer-relevant organelle reprograming, are not fully understood. This project aims to (i) characterize the mitochondrial architecture and organization in healthy melanocytes and cancerous melanoma cells, (ii) examine the role of mitochondrial contact sites in compartmental calcium and redox signalling and (iii) investigate their contribution in melanoma pathobiology.