Journal of Cellular Signaling

Commentary Open Access

Can Mono- or Combination Therapy of Metformin with Cimetidine and Ibuprofen be a Promising Potential Therapy for Breast Cancer?

Samaneh Mostafavi , Hamidreza Zalpoor , Zuhair Mohammad Hassan

Metformin (MET), either alone or in combination with other drugs, has been considered a promising drug in cancer therapy. MET via activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mediates tumor proliferation. Moreover, as an antagonist of the histamine H2-receptor (H2R), cimetidine (CIM) is also attributed to several immune-stimulatory responses in non-immunogenic cancers. 

Commentary Open Access

New Insights into the Proteolytic Regulation of the Structural Protein Junctophilin-2 by Calpain

Gunnar Weninger , Stephan E. Lehnart

Junctophilin-2 (JP2) is a key structural protein of junctional membrane complexes (JMCs) that stabilize contacts between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubules required for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in cardiomyocytes. Under pathophysiological conditions, the intracellular cysteine protease Calpain activated by disturbed intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis cleaves JP2 and, hence, disturbs EC coupling.

Case Report Open Access

Targeting the Complex Protein Network of MYCN-amplified Anaplastic Ependymoma: A Case Report

Michael P. Castro

The MYCN oncoprotein has been notoriously undruggable and is infamous for causing aggressive cancer with poor outcomes in children and adults. Following surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, patients who develop progressive disease have few treatment options. An analysis of the dysregulated protein network caused by MYCN amplification suggested co-targeting PLK1, AURKA, CKS1, AKT, MTOR, and USP7 would be useful to take advantage of synthetic lethal vulnerabilities

Research Article Open Access

Redox Homeostasis in Well-differentiated Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cells

Ayaho Yamamoto , Peter D. Sly , Anna Henningham , Nelufa Begum , Abrey J. Yeo , Emmanuelle Fantino

Oxidative stress (OS) in the airway epithelium is associated with inflammation, cell damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction that may initiate or worsen respiratory disease. Redox regulation maintains the equilibrium of pro-oxidant/antioxidant reactions but can be disturbed by environmental exposures. The mechanism(s) underlying the induction and impact of OS on airway epithelium and how these influences on respiratory disease is poorly understood.

Original Research Open Access

Resveratrol and Astaxanthin Protect Primary Human Nasal Epithelial Cells Cultured at an Air-liquid Interface from an Acute Oxidant Exposure

Ayaho Yamamoto , Peter D. Sly , Nelufa Begum , Abrey J. Yeo , Emmanuelle Fantino

Oxidative stress (OS) in the airway epithelium is associated with cell damage, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction that may initiate or worsen respiratory disease. However, it is unclear whether exogenous antioxidants can provide protection to the airway epithelium from OS. Resveratrol and astaxanthin are nutritional compounds that have shown diverse benefits including protection against OS and inflammation in various situations.