The aminosteroid U-73122 inhibits muscarinic receptor sequestration and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. A role for Gp in receptor compartmentation.

The relationship between muscarinic receptor activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis and the sequestration of cell surface muscarinic receptors has been examined for both intact and digitonin-permeabilized human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. Addition of the aminosteroid 1-[6-[[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino] hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122) to intact cells resulted in the inhibition of oxotremorine-M-stimulated inositol phosphate release and of Ca2+ signaling by greater than 75%. In contrast, when phospholipase C was directly activated by the addition of the calcium ionophore ionomycin, inclusion of U-73122 had little inhibitory effect. Addition of U-73122 to intact cells also inhibited the agonist-induced sequestration of cell surface muscarinic receptors and their subsequent down-regulation with an IC50 value (4.1 microM) similar to that observed for inhibition of inositol phosphate release (3.7 microM). In contrast, when oxotremorine-M-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis was inhibited by depletion of extracellular Ca2+, no reduction in the extent of receptor sequestration was observed. When introduced into digitonin-permeabilized cells, U-73122 more markedly inhibited inositol phosphate release elicited by either oxotremorine-M or guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) than that induced by added Ca2+. Addition of oxotremorine-M to permeabilized cells resulted in muscarinic receptor sequestration and down-regulation. Both the loss of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in permeabilized cells were inhibited by the inclusion of guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). The results indicate that the agonist-induced sequestration of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in SK-N-SH cells requires the involvement of a GTP-binding protein but not the production of phosphoinositide-derived second messenger molecules.     

Muscarinic receptor-mediated increase in cAMP levels in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

Stimulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells resulted in a 1.5-4 fold increase in intracellular cAMP levels. This unusual response was sensitive to atropine and pirenzepine but insensitive to pertussis toxin. It was observable regardless of whether basal, PGE1- or forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were measured. The half-maximal concentration for carbachol-stimulation of cAMP levels (6 microM) was similar to that for the previously determined carbachol-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover in these cells, suggesting that the former is mediated by the latter. These data indicate that cross-talk between the phosphoinositide turnover system and the adenylate cyclase system results in increased cAMP levels in SK-N-SH cells in response to muscarinic receptor stimulation.     

Calcium influx mediated by nicotinic receptors and voltage sensitive calcium channels in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

When SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to nicotine (NIC) or KCl they showed a dose-dependent transient increase (2- to 4-fold) in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+])i as detected by quin-2 fluorescence, with half maximal effects (EC50) observed at 13 microM and 26 mM, respectively. Tubocurarine and 1-isodihydrohistrionicotoxin potently blocked the NIC-evoked (IC50 congruent to 1 microM and 0.3 microM, respectively), but not the high [K+]o-evoked [Ca2+]i accumulation. The KCl-induced response was inhibited by verapamil and diltiazem (IC50 = 1.4 and 10.9 microM, respectively). Tetrodotoxin (3 microM) and tetraethylammonium (10 microM) had no effect on [Ca2+]i accumulation induced by either agent. Increases in [Ca2+]i could be evoked sequentially by NIC and KCl in the same cells suggesting independent mechanisms of Ca2+ entry. In a Ca2+-free medium, no response to either KCl or NIC was observed. However, when Ca2+ ions were restored, [Ca2+]i accumulation was enhanced to the same extent as cells suspended in a Ca2+-containing buffer. Long-term (18 hr) pretreatment of SK-N-SH cells with pertussis (100 ng/ml) or cholera toxins (10 nM) had no effect on NIC or KCl-induced [Ca2+]i accumulation. Together, these data demonstrate the presence of NIC receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels on SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells, through which [Ca2+]i may be modulated.     

A human neuroblastoma cell line expresses mu and delta opioid receptor sites

A series of neuroblastoma cell lines were screened for the presence of opioid receptor sites with the tracers [3H]diprenorphine (mu, delta, kappa ligand) and [3H]naloxone (mu-selective ligand). One human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH, displayed avid binding for both tracers. Binding experiments with multiple tracers revealed the presence of both mu and delta sites. These sites were stereospecific, saturable, and proteinaceous in character. Saturation binding experiments provided an estimate of 50,000 mu and 10,000 delta sites/cell. NaCl (100 mM) and guanine nucleotide, guanylyl imidodiphosphate (50 microM), reduced opioid agonist but not antagonist binding to these sites. Etorphine at 1 nM inhibited prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP production by approximately 20%, which was reversible by naloxone. The opioid-binding sites on SK-N-SH cells closely resemble the previously reported mu and delta sites in human and rodent brain. Therefore, the SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell line represents a useful tool to study the molecular functions of opioid receptors.     

Neuroprotection against neuroblastoma cell death induced by depletion of mitochondrial glutathione

Mitochondrial glutathione pool is vital in protecting cells against oxidative stress as the majority of the cellular reactive oxygen species are generated in mitochondria. Oxidative stress is implicated as a causative factor in neuronal death in neurodegenerative disorders. We hypothesized that depletion of mitochondrial glutathione leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic death of SK-N-SH (human neuroblastoma) cells and investigated the neuroprotective strategies against GSH depletion. SK-N-SH cells were treated with two distinct inhibitors of glutathione metabolism: L-buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine (BSO) and ethacrynic acid (EA). EA treatment caused depletion of both the total and mitochondrial glutathione (while BSO had no effect on mitochondrial glutathione), enhanced rotenone-induced ROS production, and reduced the viability of SK-N-SH cells. Glutathione depletion by BSO or EA demonstrated positive features of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell death. Prevention of apoptosis by Bcl2 overexpression or use of antioxidant ebselen did not confer neuroprotection. Co-culture with U-87 (human glioblastoma) cells protected SK-N-SH cells from the cell death. Our data suggest that depletion of mitochondrial glutathione leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. The study indicates that preventing mitochondrial glutathione depletion could become a novel strategy for the development of neuroprotective therapeutics in neurodegenerative disorders.     

Tau protein is involved in the apoptotic process induced by anti-microtubule agents on neuroblastoma cells

Paclitaxel and docetaxel are potent anti-microtubule and antimitotic agents that induce apoptosis in bone marrow-derived cells and epithelial cells. This study examined apoptosis induced by anti-microtubule agents in the neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line with a special focus on tau protein which is one of the main Microtubule-Associated- Proteins (MAPs) in neuronal cells. In time, treatment with 1 M paclitaxel successively induced formation of bundles, then pseudo-asters concomitantly with mitotic block and phosphorylation of bcl-2 (48 h), then phosphorylation of tau and externalization of phosphatidylserine at the early phase of apoptosis (72 h) and finally DNA fragmentation (96 h). Similar results were obtained with 0.5 M vinorelbine. Paclitaxel induced a lower increase in tau phosphorylation in differentiated SK-N-SH/RA+ cells which are less sensitive to apoptosis. Moreover, doxorubicin whose mechanism of action is independent of microtubules also induced immunostaining of tau at 72 h treatment. In conclusion, our results on neuroblastoma cells show that overexpression of hyperphosphorylated tau is involved in the apoptotic process induced by anti-microtubule agents and may be extended to others cytostatic drugs. Thus, tau protein may play a role in the cellular events observed in neuroblastoma cells undergoing apoptosis.     

Caulerpenyne from Caulerpa taxifolia has an antiproliferative activity on tumor cell line SK-N-SH and modifies the microtubule network.

Caulerpenyne, the major secondary metabolite synthesized by the green marine alga Caulerpa taxifolia, is cytotoxic against several cell lines. To identify possible targets of this toxin, we investigated the effect of caulerpenyne on the neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line. Caulerpenyne induced an inhibition of SK-N-SH cell proliferation with an IC50 of 10 +/- 2 microM after 2 hr of incubation.We observed no blockage in G2/M phase and an increase in cell death. On immunofluorescence microscopy, caulerpenyne affected the microtubule network in SK-N-SH cell line; we observed a loss of neurites and a compaction of the microtubule network at the cell periphery. In vitro, after 35 min of incubation, caulerpenyne inhibited the polymerization of pig brain purified tubulin or microtubule proteins, with an IC50 of 21 +/- 2 microM and 51 +/- 6 microM respectively. Analysis by electron microscopy indicated that caulerpenyne induced aggregation of tubulin, which may be responsible for inhibition of microtubule polymerization and bundling of residual microtubules.     

Regulation by retinoic acid of ICAM-1 expression on human tumor cell lines.

In a group of four human tumor cell lines comprising one melanoma, one glioma, one teratocarcinoma and one neuroblastoma, the expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was found to be significantly increased following treatment with 10 microM of all-trans retinoic acid. In the melanoma and glioma cell lines HS 294T and HS 683, greater than 90% of the cells reacted with the anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) CL203.4 in the absence of treatment. Retinoic acid increased the cell surface expression of the molecule by 2-fold. In the teratocarcinoma and neuroblastoma cell lines, TERA-2 and SK-N-SH, the constitutive expression of ICAM-1 was weak, the percentage of cells stained above the background being less than 25%. Retinoic acid induced ICAM-1 expression in greater than 80% of the cells and increased the levels of expression by 2.5 to 3-fold. Immunoprecipitation studies in biosynthetically labeled cells as well as RNase protection analysis confirmed that retinoic acid treatment increased the amount of ICAM-1 at both the protein and mRNA level. The induction or stimulation occurred within 24 h, was maximal after 4 days and reversible.     

Exogenous heat shock protein HSP70 reduces response of human neuroblastoma cells to lipopolysaccharide

The effect of exogenous heat shock protein HSP70 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), TNFα secretion, and mRNA expression by human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. It was shown that exogenous HSP70 protects neuroblastoma cells from the action of LPS. The protection mechanism of HSP70 includes a reduction in the production of ROS and TNFα and a decrease in the expression of TLR4 and IL-1β mRNA in SK-N-SH cells induced by LPS.     

Effects of Collagen IV on Neuroblastoma Cell Matrix-Related Functions

Integrin-mediated interactions with collagen IV and its domains were examined in a human neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH). By adhesion assays we demonstrated that neuroblastoma cells bound to solid-phase intact collagen IV and synthetic cell-binding peptide HEP-III, derived from the collagenous part of the molecule, but not to the main noncollagenous NC1 domain or to the synthetic cell-binding peptide HEP-I, derived from this domain. Monoclonal antibodies against β1, α3, and αvβ3 integrins resulted in inhibition of cell binding to collagenous substrates by 95, 30, and 35%, respectively. By flow cytometry and immunoblotting it was shown that culture of SK-N-SH cells on collagen IV resulted in alteration in the expression of major neuroblastoma cell integrins. Binding to collagen IV induced the expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases A and B (MMP-2, MMP-9), with a concomitant increase at the protein level of tissue-specific inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2). Finally, the expression of MMP-2 was significantly up-regulated by anti-α3β1 antibodies, whereas ligation of anti-αvβ3 antibodies resulted in a modest down-regulation of MMP-2. Our results indicate that the presence of collagen IV modulates the expression of integrins, which are used for binding to this glycoprotein, and MMP-2 secreted by SK-N-SH cells.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of diosgenyl saponin analogues

Diosgenyl saponins are steroidal glycosides that are often found as major components in many traditional oriental medicines. Recently, a number of naturally occurring diosgenyl saponins have been shown to exert cytotoxic activity against several strains of human cancer cells. Use of these saponin compounds for cancer treatment is hampered due to the lack of understanding of their action mechanism as well as limited access to such structurally complicated molecules. In the present paper, we have prepared a group of diosgenyl saponin analogues which contain a beta-D-2-amino-2-deoxy-glucopyranose residue having different substituents at the amino group. Moderate cytotoxic activity is found for most analogues against neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) cells, breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The analogue 13 that contains an alpha-lipoic acid residue exhibits the highest potency against all three cancer cell lines with IC(50) ranging from 4.8 microM in SK-N-SH cells to 7.3 microM in HeLa cells. Preliminary mechanistic investigation with one saponin analogue (10) shows that the compound induces cell cycle arrest at G(1) phase in SK-N-SH cells, but the same compound induces cell cycle arrest at G(2) phase in MCF-7 cells. This result suggests that the cytotoxic activity of these saponin analogues may involve different action mechanisms in cell lines derived from different cancer sites.     

DNA damage induced by paclitaxel and DNA repair capability of peripheral blood lymphocytes as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay

This study was designed to assess whether the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of human healthy donors, and to evaluate if such damage could be repaired. Venous blood was collected by routine venipuncture, the lymphocytes were isolated and cultured and then treated with 100nM, 500nM, 10microM, and 30microM of taxol for 4h. The alkaline comet assay technique was used to quantify the level of DNA damage and the DNA repair in lymphocytes. A significant increase in DNA damage was achieved when the cells were incubated with paclitaxel concentrations of 10microM or above. To test the DNA repair capability, the lymphocytes were allowed to recover for 2, 4, 6, and 24h. The DNA damage was almost completely repaired after 24h of incubation demonstrating a time-dependent repair capability. In conclusion, we demonstrate that paclitaxel induces DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes and that this damage can be repaired.     

蛋白磷酸酯酶抑制剂冈田酸对人神经母细胞瘤 SK-N-SH细胞系tau蛋白磷酸化水平的影响

观察蛋白磷酸酯酶-1和蛋白磷酸酯酶-2A的抑制剂冈田酸(okadaicacid,OA)对人神经母细胞瘤系SK-N-SH细胞tau蛋白磷酸化水平的变化,确定tau蛋白过度磷酸化细胞模型的合适剂量和时间。用不同剂量OA与SK-N-SH细胞共温育不同时间,用显微镜观察细胞形态变化,用Western印迹法检测磷酸化tau蛋白和非磷酸化tau蛋白在Ser202位点和Ser404位点磷酸化水平的变化。10～160nmol/LOA与SK-N-SH神经细胞温育3～24h,可引起细胞形态损伤呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性的变化,起效剂量和时间为10nmol/L和3h。10nmol/LOA与SK-N-SH细胞温育6～24h,磷酸化tau蛋白Ser199/Ser202位点和Ser404位点的表达明显增高,非磷酸化tau蛋白Ser202位点和Ser404位点的表达明显降低,总tau蛋白含量无明显变化。OA可以作为很好的研究tau蛋白过度磷酸化的工具药,10nmol/LOA与SK-N-SH神经细胞共温育6h可以作为制备细胞模型的适宜条件。     

Muscarinic Receptor-Stimulated Phosphoinositide Turnover in Human SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells: Differential Inhibition by Agents that Elevate Cyclic AMP

The possibility that an increased intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP (cAMP) can regulate the extent of muscarinic receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) turnover in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH was examined. Addition of either forskolin (or its water-soluble analog, L-85,8051), theophylline, isobutylmethylxanthine, or cholera toxin, agents that interact with either the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase, cAMP phosphodiesterase, or the guanine nucleotide binding protein linked to adenylate cyclase activation, resulted in a 45-181% increase in cAMP concentration and a 27-70% inhibition of carbachol-stimulated inositol phosphate release. Through the use of digitonin-permeabilized cells, the site of inhibition was localized to a step at, or distal to, the guanine nucleotide binding protein that regulates phospholipase C activity. In contrast, when intact SK-N-SH cells were exposed to prostaglandin E1, the ensuing increases in cAMP were not accompanied by an inhibition of stimulated PPI turnover. These differential effects of increased cAMP concentrations on stimulated PPI turnover may reflect the compartmentation of cAMP within SK-N-SH cells.     

Characterization of apoptotic pathway associated with caspase-independent excision of DNA loop domains

Excision of chromatin loop domains and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation are widely considered as consecutive stages of chromatin disassembly during apoptosis. We report here on apoptosis induced by staurosporine in NB-2a neuroblastoma cells, which was accompanied by excision of chromatin loop domains, but proceeded without internucleosomal DNA cleavage. In contrast to apoptosis associated with internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, the apoptotic pathway associated with excision of chromatin loop domains was largely caspase independent. We identify here MAPK family member, p38/JNK, mitochondria, and topoisomerase II as the components of this caspase-independent apoptotic pathway. While caspase-independent excision of chromatin loop domains was a predominant mechanism of DNA disintegration in staurosporine-treated neuroblastoma, both caspase-dependent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and caspase-independent excision of chromatin loop domains accompanied staurosporine-induced apoptosis of promyelocytic leukemia cells. Our results suggest that caspase-independent excision of chromatin loop domains represents a separate cell death pathway, which operates either in parallel or independently from caspase-dependent internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.     

Differential Lowering by Manganese Treatment of Activities of Glycolytic and Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle Enzymes Investigated in Neuroblastoma and Astrocytoma Cells Is Associated with Manganese-Induced Cell Death

Manganese (Mn) is a trace metal required for normal growth and development. Manganese neurotoxicity is rare and usually associated with occupational exposures. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Mn toxicity are still elusive. In rats chronically exposed to Mn, their brain regional Mn levels increase in a dose-related manner. Brain Mn preferentially accumulates in mitochondria; this accumulation is further enhanced with Mn treatment in vivo. Exposure of mitochondria to Mn in vitro leads to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. These observations prompted us to investigate the hypothesis that Mn induces alterations in energy metabolism in neural cells by interfering with the activities of various glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes using human neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) and astrocytoma (U87) cells. Treatments of SK-N-SH and U87 cells with MnCl2 induced cell death in these cells, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, as determined by MTT assays. In parallel with the Mn-induced, dose-dependent decrease in cell survival, treatment of these cells with 0.01 to 4.0 mM MnCl2 for 48 h also induced dose-related decreases in their activities of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and malate dehydrogenase. Hexokinase in SK-N-SH cells was the most affected by Mn treatments, even at the lower range of concentrations. Mn treatment of SK-N-SH cells affected pyruvate kinase and citrate synthase to a lesser extent as compared to its effect on other enzymes investigated. However, citrate synthase and pyruvate kinase in U87 cells were more vulnerable than other enzymes investigated to the effects of Mn. The results suggest the two cell types exhibited differential susceptibility toward the Mn-induced effects. Additionally, the results may have significant implications in flux control because HK is the first and highly regulated enzyme in brain glycolysis. Thus these results are consistent with our hypothesis and may have pathophysiological implications in the mechanisms underlying Mn neurotoxicity.     

A Point Mutation in the Coding Sequence of the β-Hexosaminidase α Gene Results in Defective Processing of the Enzyme Protein in an Unusual GM2-Gangliosidosis Variant

The M1-selective (high affinity for pirenzepine) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist pirenzepine displaced both N-[3H]methylscopolamine [( 3H]NMS) and [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate from intact human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells with a low affinity (Ki = 869-1,066 nM), a result indicating the predominance of the M2 or M3 (low affinity for pirenzepine) receptor subtype in these cells. Whereas a selective M2 agent, AF-DX 116 [11-2[[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]- acetyl]-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one) bound to the mAChRs with a very low affinity (Ki = 6.0 microM), 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), an agent that binds with high affinity to the M3 subtype, potently inhibited [3H]NMS binding (Ki = 7.2 nM). 4-DAMP was also 1,000-fold more effective than AF-DX 116 at blocking stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) hydrolysis in these cells. Covalent labeling studies (with [3H]propylbenzilycholine mustard) suggest that the size of the SK-N-SH mAChR (Mr = 81,000-98,000) distinguishes it from the predominant mAChR species in rat cerebral cortex (Mr = 66,000), an M1-enriched tissue. These results provide the first demonstration of a neural M3 mAChR subtype that couples to PPI turnover.     

Involvement of TR3/Nur77 translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum in ER stress-induced apoptosis

Nuclear orphan receptor TR3/Nur77/NGFI-B is a novel apoptotic effector protein that initiates apoptosis largely by translocating from the nucleus to the mitochondria, causing the release of cytochrome c. However, it is possible that TR3 translocates to other organelles. The present study was designed to determine the intracellular localization of TR3 following CD437-induced nucleocytoplasmic translocation and the mechanisms involved in TR3-induced apoptosis. In human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells and human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC109 and EC9706 cells, 5 microM CD437 induced translocation of TR3 to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This distribution was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis, subcellular fractionation analysis and coimmunoprecipitation analysis. The translocated TR3 interacted with ER-targeting Bcl-2; initiated an early release of Ca(2+) from ER; resulted in ER stress and induced apoptosis through ER-specific caspase-4 activation, together with induction of mitochondrial stress and subsequent activation of caspase-9. Our results identified a novel distribution of TR3 in the ER and defined two parallel mitochondrial- and ER-based pathways that ultimately result in apoptotic cell death.     

Mediating of caspase-independent apoptosis by cadmium through the mitochondria-ROS pathway in MRC-5 fibroblasts

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant of global concern with a 10-30-year biological half-life in humans. Accumulating evidence suggests that the lung is one of the major target organs of inhaled Cd compounds. Our previous report demonstrated that 100 microM Cd induces MRC-5 cells, normal human lung fibroblasts, to undergo caspase-independent apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria into the nucleus. Here, using benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-(ome) fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD.fmk) as a tool, we further demonstrated that Cd could induce caspase-independent apoptosis at concentrations varied from 25 to 150 microM, which was modulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), mannitol, and tiron, indicating that ROS play a crucial role in the apoptogenic activity of Cd. Consistent with this notion, the intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was 2.9-fold elevated after 3 h of Cd treatment and diminished rapidly within 1 h as detected by flow cytometry with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. Using inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) (oligomycin A and rotenone for complex I and V, respectively) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) (cyclosporin A and aristolochic acid), we coincidently found the ROS production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and apoptotic content were almost completely or partially abolished. As revealed by confocal microscopy staining with chloromethyl-X-rosamine (CMXRos) and an anti-AIF antibody, the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by Cd (3 h-treatment) was a prelude to the translocation of caspase-independent pro-apoptotic factor, AIF, into the nucleus (after 4 h of Cd treatment). In summary, this study demonstrated that, in MRC-5 fibroblasts, Cd induced caspase-independent apoptosis through a mitochondria-ROS pathway. More importantly, we provide several lines of evidence supporting a role of mitochondrial ETC and MPTP in the regulation of caspase-independent cell death triggered by Cd.     

视黄酸诱导人神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞分化过程中核基质蛋白组成的变化

在鉴定视黄酸(retinoic acid, RA)诱导人神经母细胞瘤SK-N-SH细胞分化的基础上,应用免疫细胞化学、选择性抽提和蛋白质组学分析技术,对SK-N-SH细胞诱导分化过程中核基质蛋白组成变化进行了系统研究.实验结果显示,经1 μmol/L RA处理后SK-N-SH细胞呈极性状,伸出较长的轴突样突起,胞体逐渐变小变圆.免疫细胞化学结果显示,处理后神经细胞特异表达的蛋白synaptophysin、NSE、MAP2的表达量都较对照组有明显增强.双向凝胶电泳分析显示,在RA诱导SK-N-SH细胞分化前后存在52个差异表达的核基质蛋白,经质谱分析,鉴定了其中的41个蛋白.蛋白印迹杂交进一步确证了诱导分化差异表达核基质蛋白中nucleophosmin和prohibitin等的表达变化.研究结果表明,1 μmol/L RA对SK-N-SH细胞具有显著的诱导分化作用,在SK-N-SH细胞分化过程中,其核基质蛋白组成发生了明显变化.这些变化对于揭示人神经母细胞瘤细胞癌变与逆转机制和肿瘤细胞增殖与分化调控机理均有十分重要的意义,从而为研究神经系统正常发育过程及神经系统疾病的发病机理提供科学依据.