Germline variants predispose to mesothelioma by impairing DNA repair and calcium signaling.

We report that ~1.8% of all mesothelioma patients and 4.9% of those younger than 55, carry rare germline variants of the BRCA1 associated RING domain 1 ( gene that were predicted to be damaging by computational analyses.

Induction of Drug-Resistance and Production of a Culture Medium Able to Induce Drug-Resistance in Vinblastine Untreated Murine Myeloma Cells.

Cancer therapies use different compounds of synthetic and natural origin. However, despite some positive results, relapses are common, as standard chemotherapy regimens are not fully capable of completely eradicating cancer stem cells. While vinblastine is a common chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of blood cancers, the development of vinblastine resistance is often observed.

Some Insights into the Regulation of Cardiac Physiology and Pathology by the Hippo Pathway.

The heart is one of the most fascinating organs in living beings. It beats up to 100,000 times a day throughout the lifespan, without resting. The heart undergoes profound anatomical, biochemical, and functional changes during life, from hypoxemic fetal stages to a completely differentiated four-chambered cardiac muscle.

Mitochondrial Ca Signaling in Health, Disease and Therapy.

The divalent cation calcium (Ca) is considered one of the main second messengers inside cells and acts as the most prominent signal in a plethora of biological processes. Its homeostasis is guaranteed by an intricate and complex system of channels, pumps, and exchangers. In this context, by regulating cellular Ca levels, mitochondria control both the uptake and release of Ca.

Mitochondria: Insights into Crucial Features to Overcome Cancer Chemoresistance.

Mitochondria are key regulators of cell survival and are involved in a plethora of mechanisms, such as metabolism, Ca signaling, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitophagy and mitochondrial transfer, fusion, and fission (known as mitochondrial dynamics). The tuning of these processes in pathophysiological conditions is fundamental to the balance between cell death and survival. Indeed, ROS overproduction and mitochondrial Ca overload are linked to the induction of apoptosis, while the impairment of mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism can have a double-faceted role in the decision between cell survival and death.

Mitochondrial Function and Dysfunction in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac tissue requires a persistent production of energy in order to exert its pumping function. Therefore, the maintenance of this function relies on mitochondria that represent the "powerhouse" of all cardiac activities. Mitochondria being one of the key players for the proper functioning of the mammalian heart suggests continual regulation and organization.

Mitochondria as the decision makers for cancer cell fate: from signaling pathways to therapeutic strategies.

As pivotal players in cellular metabolism, mitochondria have a double-faceted role in the final decision of cell fate. This is true for all cell types, but it is even more important and intriguing in the cancer setting. Mitochondria regulate cell fate in many diverse ways: through metabolism, by producing ATP and other metabolites deemed vital or detrimental for cancer cells; through the regulation of Ca homeostasis, especially by the joint participation of the endoplasmic reticulum in a membranous tethering system for Ca signaling called mitochondria-ER associated membranes (MAMs); and by regulating signaling pathways involved in the survival of cancer cells such as mitophagy.

Cancer-Related Increases and Decreases in Calcium Signaling at the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Interface (MAMs).

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria regions are specialized subdomains called also mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). MAMs allow regulation of lipid synthesis and represent hubs for ion and metabolite signaling. As these two organelles can module both the amplitude and the spatiotemporal patterns of calcium (Ca) signals, this particular interaction controls several Ca-dependent pathways well known for their contribution to tumorigenesis, such as metabolism, survival, sensitivity to cell death, and metastasis.

Antiproliferative Properties of Ovule Extracts and Derived Fractions Tested on HL60 Leukemia Human Cells.

plant is common in many regions worldwide and contributes to the landscape with its red flower. In the present study we first carried out morphological investigation by optical and scanning electron microscopy of the ovules within the ovary. After ovules' isolation we prepared extracts to test possible cytotoxic activities on HL60 leukemia human cells and investigated the extracts using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

The role of mitochondria-associated membranes in cellular homeostasis and diseases.

Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are fundamental in the control of cell physiology regulating several signal transduction pathways. They continuously communicate exchanging messages in their contact sites called MAMs (mitochondria-associated membranes). MAMs are specific microdomains acting as a platform for the sorting of vital and dangerous signals.