Latest Academic Works
Interplay between autophagy and lipid droplets in starving cancer cells
Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular organelles that store lipids, mainly triacylglycerols (TAGs) and sterol esters. LDs were initially considered just inert fat reservoirs but have now been identified as critical players in the cellular stress response, especially in cancer cells. In response to various kinds of stress, including nutrient deprivation …
The role of cystatin C in inflammatory response
Innate immune system acts as the first line of defence to protect the host against pathogens. The regulation of immune system and inflammatory response is crucial since dysregulated or sustained inflammation leads to pathological conditions, septic shock and tissue damage. Macrophages are innate immune cells that sense pathogens with pattern …
Role and significance of cysteine cathepsins in TRAIL induced apoptosis
Apoptosis is an innate mechanism by which a multicellular organisms eliminates unwanted, damaged and potentially harmful cells. During apoptosis inflammation of the surrounding tissues is prevented. Defects in an apoptotic signaling can lead to numerous pathological conditions. Apoptosis is mediated through two main pathways, the extrinsic or the death receptor …
Expression and characterization of cysteine peptidases metacaspases and autophagins from the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi
Cysteine peptidases have been demonstrated to be important virulence factors of protozoan parasites, including Trypanosoma cruzi. With genome sequence determination the existence of several novel families of cysteine peptidases can be envisioned in this parasite. We focused on two families, metacaspases from the clan CD and autophagins (or Atg4 proteases) …