Maria Carmela Roccheri
e-mail: mariroc AT unipa.it
affiliation: Università di Palermo
research area(s): Cell Biology, Developmental Biology
Course:
Cell Biology
University/Istitution: Università di Palermo
University/Istitution: Università di Palermo
1971: Degree in Biology 110/110 cum laude.
1972: Fellowship from the Italian Ministry of Public Education; 1974: Associate Scientist at the Institute of Comparative Anatomy University of Palermo. 1980: Permanent University lecturer of Comparative Anatomy at the Dpt. of Cell and Developmental Biology. 1991-2000: Acting Professor of Comparative Embryology.
-Member of Scientific Committee and Teacher (ICRO) at "International Course on Sea Urchin Eggs and Embryos as Model Cells" at the Advanced Workshop "Sea Urchin aquaculture" and at "Cellular and Molecular Techiniques in Marine Invertebrate".
-Member of the scientific Committee for "Dottorato di Ricerca "Biotecnologie applicate alla medicina perinatale" (2000/2004).
-Member of the scientific Committee for "Dottorato di Ricerca in Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo", Palermo University (1992 until now).
-2000: Acting Professor of "Cell Biotechnology"
-2001: Associate Professor of "Cell Biology", Science Faculty, University of Palermo.
-2006: Full Professor of "Cell Biology", "Biology of Vertebrates Evolution ", "Embryology of Experimental Models", "Comparative Anatomy", Science Faculty, University of Palermo.
Vice-Head of the School of Natural Sciences. Responsible of the tutoring of students of the Bsc. in Natural Sciences.
Grants received from Italian Ministry of the University (Murst, ex 60%, ex 40% and PRIN); EU project; National Research Council (project on "Cell stress"); Sicilian Regional Government; CORI projects; two different grants from MERCK-SERONO pharmaceutic industry.
1972: Fellowship from the Italian Ministry of Public Education; 1974: Associate Scientist at the Institute of Comparative Anatomy University of Palermo. 1980: Permanent University lecturer of Comparative Anatomy at the Dpt. of Cell and Developmental Biology. 1991-2000: Acting Professor of Comparative Embryology.
-Member of Scientific Committee and Teacher (ICRO) at "International Course on Sea Urchin Eggs and Embryos as Model Cells" at the Advanced Workshop "Sea Urchin aquaculture" and at "Cellular and Molecular Techiniques in Marine Invertebrate".
-Member of the scientific Committee for "Dottorato di Ricerca "Biotecnologie applicate alla medicina perinatale" (2000/2004).
-Member of the scientific Committee for "Dottorato di Ricerca in Biologia Cellulare e dello Sviluppo", Palermo University (1992 until now).
-2000: Acting Professor of "Cell Biotechnology"
-2001: Associate Professor of "Cell Biology", Science Faculty, University of Palermo.
-2006: Full Professor of "Cell Biology", "Biology of Vertebrates Evolution ", "Embryology of Experimental Models", "Comparative Anatomy", Science Faculty, University of Palermo.
Vice-Head of the School of Natural Sciences. Responsible of the tutoring of students of the Bsc. in Natural Sciences.
Grants received from Italian Ministry of the University (Murst, ex 60%, ex 40% and PRIN); EU project; National Research Council (project on "Cell stress"); Sicilian Regional Government; CORI projects; two different grants from MERCK-SERONO pharmaceutic industry.
TOPICS OF RESEARCH
Two lines of research have been followed so far: 1) Response of developing sea urchin embryos (P. lividus) to different type of stress; 2) Apoptosis in cells of the human cumulus oophorus. In particular the research was focused on:
-Studies on ribosomal RNA processing".
-Studies on heat shock proteins induction in stress conditions (heat shock, metal such as zinc and cadmium, EGTA, deciliation), during embryo development.
-Studies on apoptosis and autophagy in embryo development.
-Studies on cell defense and death in Cd-treated embryos.
-Studies on the effects exerted by cytotoxic doses of Manganese on embryo development, focused in particular on MAPK activation and expression of msp130 and sm30.
-Studies on mitochondrial activity in the different developmental stages of control and stressed embryos with particular interest on the distribution of hsp60 mRNA and protein.
-Studies on programmed cell death in human oocytes after PMA with particular interest on DNA status.
-Studies on the onset of apoptosis in cells of the human cumulus oophorus in patients subjected to induction of multiple follicular growth by r-FSH or u-FSH.
-Studies on DNA fragmention in spermatozoa of infertile patients.
Two lines of research have been followed so far: 1) Response of developing sea urchin embryos (P. lividus) to different type of stress; 2) Apoptosis in cells of the human cumulus oophorus. In particular the research was focused on:
-Studies on ribosomal RNA processing".
-Studies on heat shock proteins induction in stress conditions (heat shock, metal such as zinc and cadmium, EGTA, deciliation), during embryo development.
-Studies on apoptosis and autophagy in embryo development.
-Studies on cell defense and death in Cd-treated embryos.
-Studies on the effects exerted by cytotoxic doses of Manganese on embryo development, focused in particular on MAPK activation and expression of msp130 and sm30.
-Studies on mitochondrial activity in the different developmental stages of control and stressed embryos with particular interest on the distribution of hsp60 mRNA and protein.
-Studies on programmed cell death in human oocytes after PMA with particular interest on DNA status.
-Studies on the onset of apoptosis in cells of the human cumulus oophorus in patients subjected to induction of multiple follicular growth by r-FSH or u-FSH.
-Studies on DNA fragmention in spermatozoa of infertile patients.
1) CHIARELLI R., AGNELLO M., ROCCHERI M.C. (2011)
Sea urchin embryos as a model system for studying autophagy induced by cadmium stress. Autophagy. 1;7(9). [Epub ahead of print]
2) PINSINO A., ROCCHERI M.C., COSTA C., MATRANGA V. (2011)
Manganese interferes with calcium, perturbs ERK signalling and produces embryos with no skeleton. Toxicol Sci. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr152
3) PINSINO A., MATRANGA V., TRINCHELLA F., ROCCHERI M. C. (2010)
Sea urchin embryos as an in vivo model for the assessment of manganese toxicity: developmental and stress response effects. ECOTOXICOLOGY vol.19; p. 555-562
4) AGNELLO M., ROCCHERI M. C. (2010)
Apoptosis: focus on sea urchin development. APOPTOSIS vol.15 (N.3); p. 322-330
5) ROCCHERI M. C., MATRANGA V. (2010)
Cellular, Biochemical and molecular effects of cadmium on marine invertebrates: focus on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin development. In: Cadmium in the Environment. Chapter 4: 337-366; Editor: Reini G. Parvau. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
6) FILOSTO S., ROCCHERI M. C., BONAVENTURA R., MATRANGA V. (2008)
Environmentally relevant cadmium concentrations affect development and induce apoptosis of Paracentrotus lividus larvae cultured in vitro. CELL BIOL TOXICOL vol. 24; p. 603-610.
7) DI LIEGRO C. M, AGNELLO M, CASANO C, ROCCHERI M. C., GIANGUZZA F, RINALDI A.M. (2008).
Hsp56 protein and mRNA distribution in normal and stressed P.lividus embryos. CARYOLOGIA, vol. 61; p. 82-87.
8) AGNELLO M., FILOSTO S., SCUDIERO R., RINALDI A.M, ROCCHERI M. C. (2007).
Cadmium induces an apoptotic response in sea urchin embryos. CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES. vol. 12, pp. 44-50.
9) MORICI G., AGNELLO M., SPAGNOLO F., ROCCHERI M. C., DI LIEGRO C. M, RINALDI A.M. (2007).
Confocal microscopy study of the distribution, content and activity of mitochondria during Paracentrotus lividus development. JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY. vol. 228, pp. 165-173.
10) RUVOLO G, BOSCO L, PANE A, MORICI G, CITTADINI E, ROCCHERI M. C. (2007).
Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization procedures. FERTILITY AND STERILITY. vol. 87, pp. 542-546.
11) AGNELLO M., FILOSTO S., SCUDIERO R., RINALDI A.M, ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
Cadmium accumulation induces apoptosis in P. Lividus embryos. CARYOLOGIA. vol. 59 (4), pp. 407-412.
12) BOSCO L., RUVOLO G., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
Il fallimento della fecondazione: un evento predeterminato? CONTRACCEZIONE, FERTILIT", SESSUALIT". vol. 33, pp. 265-268.
13) PANE A., RUVOLO G., BOSCO L., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
L'apoptosi nelle cellule del cumulo ooforo dopo somministrazione di r-LH. CONTRACCEZIONE, FERTILIT", SESSUALIT". vol. 33, pp. 269-273.
14) BOSCO L., RUVOLO G., MORICI G., MANNO M., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. (2005).
Apoptosis in human unfertilized oocytes after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. FERTILITY AND STERILITY. vol. 84, pp. 1417-1423
15) ROCCHERI M. C., AGNELLO M., BONAVENTURA R., MATRANGA V. (2004).
Cadmium induces the expression of specific stress proteins in sea urchin embryos. BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS. vol. 321, pp. 80-87.
16) CASANO C., GIANGUZZA F., ROCCHERI M.C., DI GIORGI R., MAENZA L. AND RAGUSA M.A. (2003).
Hsp40 is involved in cilia regeneration in sea urchin embryos. The Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry. Vol. 51 (12), pp. 1581-1587
17) CASANO C., ROCCHERI M.C., MAENZA L., MIGLIORE S. AND GIANGUZZA F. (2003).
Sea urchin deciliation induces thermoresistence and activates the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway. Cell Stress & Chaperones, Vol. 8 (1), pp. 70-75.
18) ROCCHERI M.C. AND TIPA C. (2002).
Physiological and induced apoptosis in sea urchin embryos and larvae.
In: "The Sea Urchin From Basic Biology To Aquaculture" Edited by Y. Yokota, V. Matranga, Z. Smolenicka. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Netherlands, pp 95-103.
19) ROCCHERI M. C., TIPA C., BONAVENTURA R. AND MATRANGA V. (2002).
Physiological And Induced Apoptosis In Sea Urchin Larvae Undergoing Metamorphosis. International Journal Developmental Biology, Vol. 46, pp. 801-806.
20) ROCCHERI M.C., ONORATO K., TIPA C. AND CASANO C. (2000).
EGTA treatment causes the synthesis of Hsps in sea urchin embryos.Molecular Cell Biology Research Communications, 3, 306-311.
21) ROCCHERI M.C., PATTI M., AGNELLO M., GIANGUZZA F., CARRA E. AND RINALDI A.M. (2001).
Localization of Mitochondrial Hsp56 chaperonine during sea urchin development. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 287, 1093-1098.
Sea urchin embryos as a model system for studying autophagy induced by cadmium stress. Autophagy. 1;7(9). [Epub ahead of print]
2) PINSINO A., ROCCHERI M.C., COSTA C., MATRANGA V. (2011)
Manganese interferes with calcium, perturbs ERK signalling and produces embryos with no skeleton. Toxicol Sci. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr152
3) PINSINO A., MATRANGA V., TRINCHELLA F., ROCCHERI M. C. (2010)
Sea urchin embryos as an in vivo model for the assessment of manganese toxicity: developmental and stress response effects. ECOTOXICOLOGY vol.19; p. 555-562
4) AGNELLO M., ROCCHERI M. C. (2010)
Apoptosis: focus on sea urchin development. APOPTOSIS vol.15 (N.3); p. 322-330
5) ROCCHERI M. C., MATRANGA V. (2010)
Cellular, Biochemical and molecular effects of cadmium on marine invertebrates: focus on Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin development. In: Cadmium in the Environment. Chapter 4: 337-366; Editor: Reini G. Parvau. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
6) FILOSTO S., ROCCHERI M. C., BONAVENTURA R., MATRANGA V. (2008)
Environmentally relevant cadmium concentrations affect development and induce apoptosis of Paracentrotus lividus larvae cultured in vitro. CELL BIOL TOXICOL vol. 24; p. 603-610.
7) DI LIEGRO C. M, AGNELLO M, CASANO C, ROCCHERI M. C., GIANGUZZA F, RINALDI A.M. (2008).
Hsp56 protein and mRNA distribution in normal and stressed P.lividus embryos. CARYOLOGIA, vol. 61; p. 82-87.
8) AGNELLO M., FILOSTO S., SCUDIERO R., RINALDI A.M, ROCCHERI M. C. (2007).
Cadmium induces an apoptotic response in sea urchin embryos. CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES. vol. 12, pp. 44-50.
9) MORICI G., AGNELLO M., SPAGNOLO F., ROCCHERI M. C., DI LIEGRO C. M, RINALDI A.M. (2007).
Confocal microscopy study of the distribution, content and activity of mitochondria during Paracentrotus lividus development. JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY. vol. 228, pp. 165-173.
10) RUVOLO G, BOSCO L, PANE A, MORICI G, CITTADINI E, ROCCHERI M. C. (2007).
Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization procedures. FERTILITY AND STERILITY. vol. 87, pp. 542-546.
11) AGNELLO M., FILOSTO S., SCUDIERO R., RINALDI A.M, ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
Cadmium accumulation induces apoptosis in P. Lividus embryos. CARYOLOGIA. vol. 59 (4), pp. 407-412.
12) BOSCO L., RUVOLO G., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
Il fallimento della fecondazione: un evento predeterminato? CONTRACCEZIONE, FERTILIT", SESSUALIT". vol. 33, pp. 265-268.
13) PANE A., RUVOLO G., BOSCO L., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. C. (2006).
L'apoptosi nelle cellule del cumulo ooforo dopo somministrazione di r-LH. CONTRACCEZIONE, FERTILIT", SESSUALIT". vol. 33, pp. 269-273.
14) BOSCO L., RUVOLO G., MORICI G., MANNO M., CITTADINI E., ROCCHERI M. C. (2005).
Apoptosis in human unfertilized oocytes after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. FERTILITY AND STERILITY. vol. 84, pp. 1417-1423
15) ROCCHERI M. C., AGNELLO M., BONAVENTURA R., MATRANGA V. (2004).
Cadmium induces the expression of specific stress proteins in sea urchin embryos. BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS. vol. 321, pp. 80-87.
16) CASANO C., GIANGUZZA F., ROCCHERI M.C., DI GIORGI R., MAENZA L. AND RAGUSA M.A. (2003).
Hsp40 is involved in cilia regeneration in sea urchin embryos. The Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry. Vol. 51 (12), pp. 1581-1587
17) CASANO C., ROCCHERI M.C., MAENZA L., MIGLIORE S. AND GIANGUZZA F. (2003).
Sea urchin deciliation induces thermoresistence and activates the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway. Cell Stress & Chaperones, Vol. 8 (1), pp. 70-75.
18) ROCCHERI M.C. AND TIPA C. (2002).
Physiological and induced apoptosis in sea urchin embryos and larvae.
In: "The Sea Urchin From Basic Biology To Aquaculture" Edited by Y. Yokota, V. Matranga, Z. Smolenicka. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Netherlands, pp 95-103.
19) ROCCHERI M. C., TIPA C., BONAVENTURA R. AND MATRANGA V. (2002).
Physiological And Induced Apoptosis In Sea Urchin Larvae Undergoing Metamorphosis. International Journal Developmental Biology, Vol. 46, pp. 801-806.
20) ROCCHERI M.C., ONORATO K., TIPA C. AND CASANO C. (2000).
EGTA treatment causes the synthesis of Hsps in sea urchin embryos.Molecular Cell Biology Research Communications, 3, 306-311.
21) ROCCHERI M.C., PATTI M., AGNELLO M., GIANGUZZA F., CARRA E. AND RINALDI A.M. (2001).
Localization of Mitochondrial Hsp56 chaperonine during sea urchin development. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 287, 1093-1098.
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