Paolo Pinton Lab__Signal Transduction

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Signal transduction, the process by which a cell receives and responds to stimuli, lies at the heart of many interesting and important processes, including cell growth, cell death, immune function and differentiation process. Long considered the domain of cell biologists studying discreet and simple pathways, we now know that signal transduction involves a vast array of molecules engaged in an ever-changing network of interactions and chemical modifications.

The laboratory has developed avouched competences in the studying of calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis, in particular using recombinant proteins such as the Ca²⁺-sensitive photoprotein aequorins, the mutants of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and different chemical probes. Moreover, we operate as center for cell imaging with particular interest in mitochondrial and Protein Kinase C (PKC) imaging. Finally, the group is involved in the study of adipocytes differentiation of stem cells population derived from different adult tissues.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

• Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ signalling and organelle dysfunction in mitochondrial diseases.

• Intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and mitochondria in oligodendrocytes during oxidative stress

• Involvement of mitochondrial proteins in autophagy

• Mitochondria as target of redox-mediated cellular transformation

• Redox control of PKC: cell and disease specific aspects

• Oncogenic and oncosuppressor proteins at the mitochondria associated membranes (MAM)