Programmed cell death of secretory cavity cells in fruits of Citrus grandis cv. Tomentosa is associated with activation of caspase 3-like protease

Previously, we found that secretory cell degradation typically occurred through programmed cell death during secretory cavity development in Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck). This finding indicated that secretory cavities could be utilized as a new cell biology model for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of plant programmed cell death. To study further the programmed cell death during secretory cavity development in Citrus fruit, we studied the morphogenetic characteristics of secretory cavities during their development in Citrus grandis cv. Tomentosa. Using light microscope- and electron microscope-TUNEL assays, immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, we described the precise spatial and temporal alterations in caspase 3-like distribution, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation during the programmed cell death of secretory cavity cells. Caspase 3-like was found to be significantly located in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of secretory cavity cells undergoing programmed cell death, and caspase 3-like is closely associated with chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. Interestingly, both caspase 3-like and DNA fragmentation were detected in the nucleoli. Our findings suggest that caspase 3-like may be involved in the programmed cell death of secretory cavity cells, especially in chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, nuclear degradation and the degradation of certain organelles.     

Programmed cell death and Bcl-2 protection in the absence of a nucleus.

The molecular basis of programmed cell death (PCD) is unknown. An important clue is provided by the Bcl-2 protein, which can protect many cell types from PCD, although it is not known where or how it acts. Nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation and a requirement for new RNA and protein synthesis are often considered hallmarks of PCD. We show here, however, that anucleate cytoplasts can undergo PCD and that Bcl-2 and extracellular survival signals can protect them, indicating that, in some cases at least, the nucleus is not required for PCD or for Bcl-2 or survival factor protection. We propose that PCD, like the cell cycle, is orchestrated by a cytoplasmic regulator that has multiple intracellular targets.     

Programmed death 1 expression on HIV-specific CD4+ T cells is driven by viral replication and associated with T cell dysfunction

Functional impairment of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells during chronic HIV infection is closely linked to viral replication and thought to be due to T cell exhaustion. Programmed death 1 (PD-1) has been linked to T cell dysfunction in chronic viral infections, and blockade of the PD-1 pathway restores HIV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell function in HIV infection. This study extends those findings by directly examining PD-1 expression on virus-specific CD4(+) T cells. To investigate the role of PD-1 in HIV-associated CD4(+) T cell dysfunction, we measured PD-1 expression on blood and lymph node T cells from HIV-infected subjects with chronic disease. PD-1 expression was significantly higher on IFN-gamma-producing HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells compared with total or CMV-specific CD4(+) T cells in untreated HIV-infected subjects (p = 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). PD-1 expression on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells from subjects receiving antiretroviral therapy was significantly reduced (p = 0.007), and there was a direct correlation between PD-1 expression on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells and plasma viral load (r = 0.71; p = 0.005). PD-1 expression was significantly higher on HIV-specific T cells in the lymph node, the main site of HIV replication, compared with those in the blood (p = 0.0078). Thus, PD-1 expression on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells is driven by persistent HIV replication, providing a potential target for enhancing the functional capacity of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells.     

Programmed cell death in procyclic Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is associated with differential expression of mRNAs

Procyclic Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense have a cell death mechanism which can be activated by an external signal, the lectin ConA, in vitro. ConA has been shown to cause profound changes in cellular morphology and induce fragmentation of nuclear DNA in T.b. rhodesiense which are characteristic of apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death (PCD) in other eukaryotic cells. RNA analysis of trypanosomes induced to undergo PCD revealed that RNA remains intact up to 48 h into the process, a time when nuclear DNA fragmentation has already started. Using the randomly amplified differentially expressed sequences polymerase chain reaction method, ConA-induced cell death in T.b. rhodesiense is shown to be associated with differential expression of mRNAs, including up regulation of mRNAs late in the death process. The results demonstrate that trypanosomes actively participate in their own destruction through a PCD process and confirm that cell death in trypanosomes is associated with de novo gene expression.     

Mg2+-sensitive alterations in Ca2+ regulation associated with cell transformation

The intracellular Ca²⁺ content of nontransformed Balb/c3T3 cells is two to three times higher than that of a spontaneously transformed derivative. Depriving either cell type of extracellular Mg²⁺ causes a 2- to 3-fold increase in their Ca²⁺ content over a 24-hr period. Restoring Mg²⁺ to the medium decreases the Ca²⁺ content of the cells to their original values in about the same time. The increase in Ca²⁺ content is not blocked by cycloheximide suggesting that normal rates of protein synthesis are not required to produce this effect. Mg²⁺ deprivation also decreases the initial rate of Ca²⁺ efflux from the transformed cells and increases the size of the slowly exchanging fraction of Ca²⁺ to the levels found in the nontransformed cells. Since Mg²⁺ deprivation normalizes the appearance and growth behavior of the transformed cells, the possible intermediary role of Ca²⁺ in this normalization was studied. Large changes in extracellular Ca²⁺ produced large changes in the Ca²⁺ content of the transformed cells with little change in appearance or thymidine incorporation rate. Ca²⁺ deprivation did inhibit thymidine incorporation in early passage nontransformed cells; however with repeated passage, this effect decreased, as did the Ca²⁺ content of these cells. The possible role of Mg²⁺ in regulating cellular Ca²⁺ content and distribution is discussed, as is the relation of Ca²⁺ content and distribution to the development of the transformed state.     

Microtubules regulate local Ca2+ spiking in secretory epithelial cells

The role of the cytoskeleton in regulating Ca(2+) release has been explored in epithelial cells. Trains of local Ca(2+) spikes were elicited in pancreatic acinar cells by infusion of inositol trisphosphate through a whole cell patch pipette, and the Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) current spikes were recorded. The spikes were only transiently inhibited by cytochalasin B, an agent that acts on microfilaments. In contrast, nocodazole (5-100 micrometer), an agent that disrupts the microtubular network, dose-dependently reduced spike frequency and decreased spike amplitude leading to total blockade of the response. Consistent with an effect of microtubular disruption, colchicine also inhibited spiking but neither Me(2)SO nor beta-lumicolchicine, an inactive analogue of colchicine, had any effect. The microtubule-stabilizing agent, taxol, also inhibited spiking. The nocodazole effects were not due to complete loss of function of the Ca(2+) signaling apparatus, because supramaximal carbachol concentrations were still able to mobilize a Ca(2+) response. Finally, as visualized by 2-photon excitation microscopy of ER-Tracker, nocodazole promoted a loss of the endoplasmic reticulum in the secretory pole region. We conclude that microtubules specifically maintain localized Ca(2+) spikes at least in part because of the local positioning of the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Ca2+ signaling, mitochondria and cell death

In the complex interplay that allows different signals to be decoded into activation of cell death, calcium (Ca2+) plays a significant role. In all eukaryotic cells, the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ ions ([Ca2+]c) is tightly controlled by interactions among transporters, pumps, channels and binding proteins. Finely tuned changes in [Ca2+]c modulate a variety of intracellular functions ranging from muscular contraction to secretion, and disruption of Ca2+ handling leads to cell death. In this context, Ca2+ signals have been shown to affect important checkpoints of the cell death process, such as mitochondria, thus tuning the sensitivity of cells to various challenges. In this contribution, we will review (i) the evidence supporting the involvement of Ca2+ in the three major process of cell death: apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy (ii) the complex signaling interplay that allows cell death signals to be decoded into mitochondria as messages controlling cell fate.     

Tamoxifen-induced [Ca2+]i rises and Ca2+-independent cell death in human oral cancer cells

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of tamoxifen on cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) and cell viability in OC2 human oral cancer cells. [Ca(2+)](i) and cell viability were measured by using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and WST-1, respectively. Tamoxifen at concentrations above 2 microM increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca(2+) signal was reduced partly by removing extracellular Ca(2+). The tamoxifen-induced Ca(2+) influx was sensitive to blockade of L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers but insensitive to the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 and protein kinase C modulators. In Ca(2+)-free medium, after pretreatment with 1 muM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor), tamoxifen-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises were substantially inhibited; and conversely, tamoxifen pretreatment inhibited a part of thapsigargin-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises. Inhibition of phospholipase C with 2 microM U73122 did not change tamoxifen-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises. At concentrations between 10 and 50 microM tamoxifen killed cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The cytotoxic effect of 23 microM tamoxifen was not reversed by prechelating cytosolic Ca(2+) with BAPTA. Collectively, in OC2 cells, tamoxifen induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises, in a nongenomic manner, by causing Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and Ca(2+) influx from L-type Ca(2+) channels. Furthermore, tamoxifen-caused cytotoxicity was not via a preceding [Ca(2+)](i) rise.     

The secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+-ATPase 2 is a Golgi-localized pump with high affinity for Ca2+ ions

Accumulation of Ca(2+) into the Golgi apparatus is mediated by sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases (SERCAs) and by secretory pathway Ca(2+)-ATPases (SPCAs). Mammals and birds express in addition to the housekeeping SPCA1 (human gene name ATP2C1, cytogenetic position 3q22.1) a homologous SPCA2 isoform (human gene name ATP2C2, cytogenetic position 16q24.1). We show here that both genes present an identical exon/intron layout. We confirmed that hSPCA2 has the ability to transport Ca(2+), demonstrated its Mn(2+)-transporting activity, showed its Ca(2+)- and Mn(2+)-dependent phosphoprotein intermediate formation, and documented the insensitivity of these functional activities to thapsigargin inhibition. The mRNA encoding hSPCA2 showed a limited tissue expression pattern mainly confined to the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, prostate, thyroid, salivary, and mammary glands. Immunocytochemical localization in human colon sections presented a typical apical juxtanuclear Golgi-like staining. The expression in COS-1 cells allowed the direct demonstration of (45)Ca(2+) (K(0.5) = 0.27 microm) or (54)Mn(2+) transport into an A23187-releasable compartment.     

Muscle aging is associated with compromised Ca2+ spark signaling and segregated intracellular Ca2+ release

Reduced homeostatic capacity for intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) movement may underlie the progression of sarcopenia and contractile dysfunction during muscle aging. We report two alterations to Ca2+ homeostasis in skeletal muscle that are associated with aging. Ca2+ sparks, which are the elemental units of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, are silent under resting conditions in young muscle, yet activate in a dynamic manner upon deformation of membrane structures. The dynamic nature of Ca2+ sparks appears to be lost in aged skeletal muscle. Using repetitive voltage stimulation on isolated muscle preparations, we identify a segregated [Ca2+]i reserve that uncouples from the normal excitation-contraction process in aged skeletal muscle. Similar phenotypes are observed in adolescent muscle null for a synaptophysin-family protein named mitsugumin-29 (MG29) that is involved in maintenance of muscle membrane ultrastructure and Ca2+ signaling. This finding, coupled with decreased expression of MG29 in aged skeletal muscle, suggests that MG29 expression is important in maintaining skeletal muscle Ca2+ homeostasis during aging.     

Cytokinin-induced cell death is associated with elevated expression of alternative oxidase in tobacco BY-2 cells

N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and N⁶-benzyladenosine ([9R]BA) induce massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is eventually followed by a loss of cell viability in tobacco BY-2 cells (Mlejnek et al. Plant Cell Environ 26:1723–1735, 2003, Plant Sci 168:389–395, 2005). Results presented in this work suggest that the main sources of ROS are likely mitochondria and that the maintenance of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential is crucial for ROS production in cytokinin-treaded BY-2 cells. Therefore, the possible involvement of alternative oxidase (AOX) in cell death process induced by BA and [9R]BA was studied. About three- to fourfold increase in mRNA levels of AOX1 was observed a few hours after the BA and [9R]BA addition into the growth medium. The elevated expression of AOX1 mRNA could be prevented by adding adenine and adenosine which simultaneously reduced the cytotoxic effects of BA and [9R]BA, respectively. N⁶-benzyladenine 7-β-d-glucoside ([7G]BA) which is a common non-toxic metabolite of BA and [9R]BA did not affect the AOX1 mRNA expression. Although AOX1 seemed to be involved in protection of BY-2 cells against the abiotic stress induced by BA and [9R]BA, the results do not support the idea that it protects cells from death exclusively by scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Indeed, N-propyl gallate, an inhibitor of AOX, decreased cell survival despite it concomitantly decreased the ROS production. This finding is in contrast to the effect of salicylhydroxamic acid, another well-known inhibitor of AOX, which also increased the number of dying cells while it increased the ROS production.     

Programmed cell death in neurotumour cells involves the generation of ceramide

Ceramide has been typically thought of as the membrane anchor for the carbohydrate in glycosphingolipids but many studies have suggested that it may cause apoptosis. Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) is thought to be responsible for the death of one-half of neurons surviving the development of the nervous system. The potential involvement of the sphingomyelin-ceramide signaling process as an integral part of PCD was therefore examined in several neurotumour cell lines. We show that synthetic C2-ceramide (N-acetylsphingosine), a soluble ceramide analogue, can rapidly trigger PCD in these cells, characterized by: 1) classic DNA laddering on agarose gels; 2) DNA fragmentation as determined by Hoechst Dye; and 3) cell viability (mitochondrial function and intact nuclei) assays. We report that staurosporine can both activate PCD (by all three criteria above) in neurotumour cells and increase both the formation of ceramide and ceramide mass. Both ceramide formation and the induction of PCD were further enhanced by the co-addition of a ceramidase inhibitor oleoylethanolamine (25 µM). Staurosporine and oleoylethanolamine were similarly effective in inducing ceramide formation and PCD in immortalized hippocampal neurons (HN-2) and immortalized dorsal root ganglion cells (F-11). Our data suggests that formation of ceramide is a key event in the induction of PCD in neuronally derived neurotumour cells.Abbreviations PCD programmed cell death - PKC protein kinase C - HPTLC high-performance thin-layer chromatography - DETAPAC diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid - DMEM Dubelco's modified Eagle's medium - FCS fetal calf serum - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - DAG diacylglycerol - DDI distilled-deionized - Cer ceramide - SM sphingomyelin Dedicated to Dr Sen-itiroh Hakomori in celebration of his 65th birthday.     

Programmed cell death in the germline

In many organisms, programmed cell death of germ cells is required for normal development. This often occurs through highly conserved events including the transfer of vital cellular material to the growing gametes following death of neighboring cells. Germline cell death also plays a role in such diverse processes as removal of abnormal or superfluous cells at certain checkpoints, establishment of caste differentiation, and individualization of gametes. This review focuses on the cell death events that occur during gametogenesis in both vertebrates and invertebrates. It also examines the signals and machinery that initiate and carry out these germ cell deaths.     

Interaction of metal cations with Ca2+-transport sites of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump of secretory cells of gastric glands

Investigation of Ca2+ transport by calcium pump of the cell plasma membrane of the gastric glands isolated from guinea pigs and its inhibition by metal cations has been performed. The mainly competitive type of Ca2+ translocation inhibition by the calcium pump by metals cations (0.025-1.00 mM) was determined. Potency of inhibition increases in such an order (I50, mM): Ba2+ (0.336) < Sr2+ (0.251) < Mn2+ (0.099) < Co2+ (0.029) < Cd2+ (0.016). It was shown by one-factor dispersion analysis that potency of inhibition depends on ionic radii and hydration enthalpy of metal cations and also on stability constants of their complexes with oxygen-containing bioligands (acetic, aspartic and glutamic acid) (hx2 = 83.73-85.95). Dependence of the inhibition constants (I50) on ionic radii is most adequately described by the parabolic equation, such a dependence on hydration enthalpy and stability constants with oxygen-containing bioligands--by exponential or multiplicative equations. The conclusion has been made that selective Ca2+ translocation by the calcium pump and its inhibition by metal cations is determined by the interaction between energy of their interaction with cation-binding sites of the transport system and energy of hydration. Energetics of such interactions depends on the steric factors. The physicochemical model of the Ca2+ selective translocation by calcium pump and its inhibition by metal cations has been proposed.     

Programmed cell death in the developing limb

The sculpturing of shape in the developing limb together with the regression of the tail in anuran tadpoles constitute, perhaps, the most paradigmatic processes of programmed cell death. The study of these model systems has been of fundamental importance to support the idea that cell death is a physiological behavior of cells in multicellular organisms. Furthermore, different experimental approaches, including comparative analyses of the pattern of cell death in different avian species (i.e. chick interdigits versus duck interdigital webs) and in chick mutants with different limb phenotypes, provided the first evidence for the occurrence of a genetic program underlying the control of cell death. Two well known research groups in the field of limb development, the USA group headed first by John Saunders and next by John Fallon and the group of Donald Ede and Richard Hinchliffe in the U.K. provided a remarkable contribution to this topic. In spite of the historical importance of the developing limb in establishing the concept of programmed cell death, this model system of tissue regression has been largely neglected in recent studies devoted to the analysis of the molecular control of self-induced cell death (apoptosis). However, a considerable amount of information concerning this topic has been obtained in the last few years. Here we will review current information on the control of limb programmed cell death in an attempt to stimulate further molecular studies of this process of tissue regression.     

Programmed cell death of the nucellus during Sechium edule Sw. seed development is associated with activation of caspase-like proteases

The nucellus is a maternal tissue that embeds and feeds the developing embryo and secondary endosperm. During seed development, the cells of the nucellus suffer a degenerative process soon after fertilization as the cellular endosperm expands and accumulates reserves. Nucellar cell degeneration has been considered to be a form of developmentally programmed cell death (PCD). It was investigated whether or not this degenerative process is characterized by apoptotic hallmarks. Evidence showed that cell death is mostly localized in the border region of the tissue adjacent to the expanding endosperm. Cell death is accompanied by profound changes in the morphology of the nuclei and by a huge degradation of nuclear DNA. Moreover, an increase of activity of different classes of proteinases is reported, and the induction of caspase-like proteases sensitive to specific inhibitors was detected. Nucellar caspase-like proteases are characterized by an acid pH optimum suggesting a possible localization in the vacuole.     

Programmed cell death in 2',3'-dideoxycytidine-resistant human monoblastoid U937 cells

2,3-Dideoxycytidine is a powerful in vitro inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus and is currently used in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A long-term exposure of U937 monoblastoid cells to dideoxycytidine induces the selection of drug-resistant cells (U937-R). In previous studies, we investigated some important biochemical properties and functional activities, such as basal respiration, protein kinase C activity, superoxide anion release, and the level of reduced glutathione, which were found to be higher in the drug-resistant cell line, compared to the parental one. In the present study, we evaluated the response of the two cell lines to the induction of apoptosis by treatment with staurosporine and okadaic acid, which interfere with the protein kinase and phosphatase pathways, respectively. Moreover, knowing that GSH plays a crucial role in the regulation of nitric oxide-dependent apoptosis, U937-R and parental lines have been treated with SIN-1, which is known to generate significant amounts of O₂ and nitric oxide.Resistant and parental cells have been analysed by light and electron microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis of isolated DNA has been performed. The obtained results demonstrate a different susceptibility of U937-R cell line to apoptosis induced with the three triggers. U937-R cells show more advanced apoptotic features if compared with parental cells, after staurosporine treatment. Differently, the okadaic acid does not induce a different behaviour in the two models. On the contrary, the agent SIN-1 determines an increased number of apoptotic cells in the U937 line. The results suggest that a higher level of protein kinase C and glutathione could prevent programmed cell death in U937-R.     

Harpin-induced hypersensitive cell death is associated with altered mitochondrial functions in tobacco cells

Mitochondria play important roles in animal apoptosis and are implicated in salicylic acid (SA)-induced plant resistance to viral pathogens. In a previous study, we demonstrated that SA induces rapid inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation in tobacco cells. In the present study, we report that plant programmed cell death induced during pathogen elicitor-induced hypersensitive response (HR) is also associated with altered mitochondrial functions. Harpin, an HR elicitor produced by Erwinia amylovora, induced inhibition of ATP synthesis in tobacco cell cultures. Inhibition of ATP synthesis occurred almost immediately after incubation with harpin and preceded hypersensitive cell death induced by the elicitor. Diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of the oxidative burst, did not block harpin-induced inhibition of ATP synthesis or cell death, suggesting that oxidative burst was not the direct cause for these two harpin-induced processes. Unlike SA, harpin had no significant effect on total respiratory O2 uptake of treated cells. However, respiration of harpin-treated tobacco cells became very sensitive to the alternative oxidase inhibitors salicyl-hydroxamic acid and n-propyl gallate. Thus, harpin treatment resulted in reduced capacity of mitochondrial cytochrome pathway electron transport, which could lead to the observed inhibition of ATP synthesis. Given the recently demonstrated roles of mitochondria in apoptosis, this rapid inhibition of mitochondrial functions may play a role in harpin-induced hypersensitive cell death.