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

细胞器结构、动力学和室间通讯是控制细胞功能的基本参数。因此，线粒体和内质网（ER）发挥核心作用，可以被认为是细胞内区室组装，动力学和信号传导的主要调节因子。然而，参与癌症相关细胞器重编程的信号传导机制和分子参与者的身份尚未完全了解。该项目旨在（i）表征健康黑色素细胞和癌性黑色素瘤细胞中的线粒体结构和组织，（ii）研究线粒体接触位点在房室钙和氧化还原信号传导中的作用，（iii）研究它们在黑色素瘤病理生物学中的贡献。

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.