Role of Sigma-1 Receptor in Calcium Modulation: Possible Involvement in Cancer

Ca2+ signaling plays a pivotal role in the control of cellular homeostasis and aberrant regulation of Ca2+ fluxes have a strong impact on cellular functioning. As a consequence of this ubiquitous role, Ca2+ signaling dysregulation is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases including cancer. Indeed, multiple studies have highlighted the role of Ca2+ fluxes in all the steps of cancer progression. In particular, the transfer of Ca2+ at the ER-mitochondrial contact sites, also known as mitochondrial associated membranes (MAMs), has been shown to be crucial for cancer cell survival. One of the proteins enriched at this site is the sigma-1 receptor (S1R), a protein that has been described as a Ca2+-sensitive chaperone that exerts a protective function in cells in various ways, including the modulation of Ca2+ signaling. Interestingly, S1R is overexpressed in many types of cancer even though the exact mechanisms by which it promotes cell survival are not fully elucidated. This review summarizes the findings describing the roles of S1R in the control of Ca2+ signaling and its involvement in cancer progression.

The State of Art of Regenerative Therapy in Cardiovascular Ischemic Disease: Biology, Signaling Pathways, and Epigenetics of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Ischemic heart disease is currently a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Nevertheless, the actual therapeutic scenario does not target myocardial cell regeneration and consequently, the progression toward the late stage of chronic heart failure is common. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow-derived stem cells that contribute to the homeostasis of the endothelial wall in acute and chronic ischemic disease. Calcium modulation and other molecular pathways (NOTCH, VEGFR, and CXCR4) contribute to EPC proliferation and differentiation. The present review provides a summary of EPC biology with a particular focus on the regulatory pathways of EPCs and describes promising applications for cardiovascular cell therapy.

Mechanisms governing irritant-evoked activation and calcium modulation of TRPA1

The TRPA1 ion channel is a chemosensory receptor that is critical for detecting noxious chemical agents that elicit or exacerbate pain or itch. Here we use structural and electrophysiological methods to elucidate how a broad class of reactive electrophilic irritants activate TRPA1 through a two-step cysteine modification mechanism that promotes local conformational changes leading to widening of the selectivity filter to enhance calcium permeability and opening of a cytoplasmic gate. We also identify a calcium binding pocket that is remarkably conserved across TRP channel subtypes and accounts for all aspects of calcium-dependent TRPA1 regulation, including potentiation, desensitization, and activation by metabotropic receptors. These findings provide a structural basis for understanding how endogenous or exogenous chemical agents activate a broad-spectrum irritant receptor directly or indirectly through a cytoplasmic second messenger.

Nonlinear Dynamic Modeling of 2-Dimensional Interdependent Calcium and Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate in Cardiac Myocyte

Calcium (Ca2+) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is critically important actors for a vast array of cellular processes. The most significant of the functions is One of the main functions is communication in all parts of the body which is achieved through cell signaling. Abnormalities in Ca2+signaling have been implicated in clinically important conditions such as heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. We propose a mathematical model which systematically investigates complex Ca2+and IP3dynamics in cardiac myocyte. This two dimensional model is based on calcium-induced calcium release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and includes calcium modulation of IP3levels through feedback regulation of degradation and production. Forward-Time Centered-Space method has been used to solve the coupled equations. We were able to reproduce the observed oscillatory patterns in Ca2+as well as IP3signals. The model predicts that calcium-dependent production and degradation of IP3is a key mechanism for complex calcium oscillations in cardiac myocyte. The impact and sensitivity of source, leak, diffusion coefficients on both Ca2+and IP3dynamics have been investigated. The results show that the relationship between Ca2+and IP3dynamics is nonlinear.