Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria Ca2+ crosstalk in the control of the tumor cell fate

Mitochondria-associated membranes are juxtaposed between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and have been identified as a critical hub in the regulation of apoptosis and tumor growth. One key function of mitochondria-associated membranes is to provide asylum to a number of proteins with tumor suppressor and oncogenic properties. In this review, we discuss how Ca2+ flux manipulation represents the primary mechanism underlying the action of several oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes and how these networks might be manipulated to provide novel therapies for cancer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: ECS Meeting edited by Claus Heizmann, Joachim Krebs and Jacques Haiech. •Ca2+ signaling between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in tumorigenesis.•Oncogenes and tumor suppressors at the MAMs directly impact ER-mitochondrial Ca2+ transfer.•MAM compartment and its proteins can be considered as a key target for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.