Question

Most cells in the human body utilize Ca2 ions as enzymatic cofactors and/or second messengers for signaling processes. What challenges, if any, does the presence of these ions pose for the use of taxol for treating human cancers?

Answer 1

Taxol alters cytosolic calcium signaling by opening mitochondrial pores

Step-by-step explanation:

Taxol is an antimitotic (i.e., cytotoxic) agent used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. Taxol is an antimitotic drug that has been successfully used in different types of cancer including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, sarcoma, etc. Recently, it has been shown that Taxol may induce rapid cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) response by producing a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential associated with the loss of mitochondrial Ca(2+). In consequence, it has been proposed that the side effects of chemotherapy might be associated with the action of cytotoxic agents such as Taxol which alters mitochondrial function and Ca(2+) signaling cascade.