Ordering of ceramide formation, caspase activation, and Bax/Bcl-2 expression during etoposide-induced apoptosis in C6 glioma cells

Etoposide (VP-16) a topoisomerase II inhibitor induces apoptosis of tumor cells. The present study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms of etoposide-induced apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. Etoposide induced increased formation of ceramide from sphingomyelin and release of mitochondrial cytochrome c followed by activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, but not caspase-1. In addition, exposure of cells to etoposide resulted in decreased expression of Bcl-2 with reciprocal increase in Bax protein. z-VAD.FMK, a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor, failed to suppress the etoposide-induced ceramide formation and change of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, although it did inhibit etoposide-induced death of C6 cells. Reduced glutathione or N-acetylcysteine, which could reduce ceramide formation by inhibiting sphingomyelinase activity, prevented C6 cells from etoposide-induced apoptosis through blockage of caspase-3 activation and change of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In contrast, the increase in ceramide level by an inhibitor of ceramide glucosyltransferase-1, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol caused elevation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and potentiation of caspase-3 activation, thereby resulting in enhancement of etoposide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, cell-permeable exogenous ceramides (C2- and C6-ceramide) induced downregulation of Bcl-2, leading to an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and subsequent activation of caspases-9 and -3. Taken together, these results suggest that ceramide may function as a mediator of etoposide-induced apoptosis of C6 glioma cells, which induces increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio followed by release of cytochrome c leading to caspases-9 and -3 activation.     

Involvement of sphingosine in mitochondria-dependent Fas-induced apoptosis of type II Jurkat T cells

Exposure to anti-Fas antibody in Jurkat cells (type II cells), which are characterized by a weak caspase-8 activation at the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), induced a biphasic increase in ceramide levels. The early generation of ceramide preceded transient activation of acidic ceramidase and subsequent production of sphingosine, followed by cytochrome c release, activation of caspases-2, -3, -6, -7, -8, and -9, Bid cleavage, and a later sustained ceramide accumulation. The caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone inhibited early increases of ceramide and sphingosine, whereas overexpression of Bcl-x(L) had no effect, and both prevented the later sustained ceramide accumulation. Exogenous sphingosine, as well as cell-permeable C(2)-ceramide, induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria in a caspase-independent fashion leading to activation of caspase-9 and executioner caspases and, surprisingly, activation of the initiator caspase-8 and processing of its substrate Bid. These effects were also completely abolished by Bcl-x(L) overexpression. Our results suggest that sphingosine might also be involved in the mitochondria-mediated pathway of Fas-induced cell death in type II cells.     

Ceramide increases oxidative damage due to inhibition of catalase by caspase-3-dependent proteolysis in HL-60 cell apoptosis

We investigated through which mechanisms ceramide increased oxidative damage to induce leukemia HL-60 cell apoptosis. When 5 microm N-acetylsphingosine (C(2)-ceramide) or 20 microm H(2)O(2) alone induced little increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as judged by the 2'-7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate method, 20 microm H(2)O(2) enhanced oxidative damage as judged by ROS accumulation, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance production after pretreatment with 5 microm C(2)-ceramide at least for 12 h. The treatment with a catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1h-1,2,4-triazole, increased oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2), and in contrast, purified catalase inhibited the enhancement of oxidative damage by H(2)O(2) in ceramide-pretreated cells, suggesting that the oxidative effect of ceramide is involved in catalase regulation. Indeed, C(2)-ceramide inhibited the activity of immunoprecipitated catalase and decreased the levels of catalase protein in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, acetyl-Asp-Met-Gln-Asp-aldehyde, which dominantly inhibited caspase-3 and blocked the increase of oxidative damage and apoptosis due to C(2)-ceramide-induced catalase depletion at protein and activity levels. In vitro, active and purified caspase-3, but not caspase-6, -8, and -9, inhibited catalase activity and induced the proteolysis of catalase protein whereas these in vitro effects of caspase-3 were blocked by acetyl-Asp-Met-Gln-Asp-aldehyde. Taken together, it is suggested that H(2)O(2) enhances apoptosis in ceramide-pretreated cells, because ceramide increases oxidative damage by inhibition of ROS scavenging ability through caspase-3-dependent proteolysis of catalase.     

Ceramide-induced apoptosis of D283 medulloblastoma cells requires mitochondrial respiratory chain activity but occurs independently of caspases and is not sensitive to Bcl-xL overexpression

Ceramides are potent lipid second messengers that are involved in apoptotic and hypoxic/ischaemic neurone death. We investigated the role of mitochondria and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in ceramide-induced cell death using human D283 medulloblastoma cells with a reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number (rho- cells) and a corresponding defect in mitochondrial respiration. Treatment with the complex I inhibitor rotenone, C2- or C8-ceramide induced cell death in D283 control cells, while rho- cells were significantly protected. In contrast, activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by transient overexpression of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein or exposure to the kinase inhibitor staurosporine induced apoptosis to a similar extent in control and rho- cells. Overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL failed to inhibit the toxic effect of C2-ceramide in D283 control cells, and no significant increase in caspase-3-like protease activity could be detected during the death process. Despite this, C2-ceramide induced significant chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage in D283 control cells, reminiscent of apoptosis. These morphological alterations were associated with the activation of calpains. Both apoptotic morphology and calpain activation were attenuated in rho- cells. Our data indicate that the apoptosis-inducing effect of C2-ceramide may require mitochondrial respiratory chain activity and can occur independently of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, but involves the activation of calpains.     

Bcl-2 rescues ceramide- and etoposide-induced mitochondrial apoptosis through blockage of caspase-2 activation

Recent studies indicate that caspase-2 is involved in the early stage of apoptosis before mitochondrial damage. Although the activation of caspase-2 has been shown to occur in a large protein complex, the mechanisms of caspase-2 activation remain unclear. Here we report a regulatory role of Bcl-2 on caspase-2 upstream of mitochondria. Stress stimuli, including ceramide and etoposide, caused caspase-2 activation, mitochondrial damage followed by downstream caspase-9 and -3 activation, and cell apoptosis in human lung epithelial cell line A549. When A549 cells were pretreated with the caspase-2 inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Asp(-OMe)-Val-Ala-Asp(-OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone or transfected with caspase-2 short interfering RNA, both ceramide- and etoposide-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis were blocked. Overexpression of Bcl-2 prevented ceramide- and etoposide-induced caspase-2 activation and mitochondrial apoptosis. Furthermore, caspase-2 was activated when A549 cells were introduced with Bcl-2 short interfering RNA or were treated with Bcl-2 inhibitor, which provided direct evidence of a negative regulatory effect of Bcl-2 on caspase-2. Cell survival was observed when caspase-2 was inhibited in Bcl-2-silencing cells. Blockage of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and caspase-9 demonstrated that Bcl-2-modulated caspase-2 activity occurred upstream of mitochondria. Further studies showed that Bcl-2 was dephosphorylated at serine 70 after ceramide and etoposide treatment. A protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, rescued Bcl-2 dephosphorylation and blocked caspase-2 activation, mitochondrial damage, and cell death. Taken together, ceramide and etoposide induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by initiating caspase-2 activation, which was, at least in part, regulated by Bcl-2.     

Roles for C16-ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate in regulating hepatocyte apoptosis in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha signals cell death and simultaneously induces the generation of ceramide, which is metabolized to sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by ceramidase (CDase) and sphingosine kinase. Because the dynamic balance between the intracellular levels of ceramide and S1P (the "ceramide/S1P rheostat") may determine cell survival, we investigated these sphingolipid signaling pathways in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of primary hepatocytes. Endogenous C16-ceramide was elevated during TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in both rat and mouse primary hepatocytes. The putative acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) inhibitor imipramine inhibited TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and C16-ceramide increase as did the knock out of ASMase. Overexpression of neutral CDase (NCDase) inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced increase of C16-ceramide and apoptosis in rat primary hepatocytes. Moreover, NCDase inhibited liver injury and hepatocyte apoptosis in mice treated with D-galactosamine plus TNF-alpha. This protective effect was abrogated by the sphingosine kinase inhibitor N,N-demethylsphingosine, suggesting that the survival effect of NCDase is due to not only C16-ceramide reduction but also S1P formation. Administration of S1P or overexpression of NCDase activated the pro-survival kinase AKT, and overexpression of dominant negative AKT blocked the survival effect of NCDase. In conclusion, activation of ASMase and generation of C16-ceramide contributed to TNF-alpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. NCDase prevented apoptosis both by reducing C16-ceramide and by activation of AKT through S1P formation. Therefore, the cross-talk between sphingolipids and AKT pathway may determine hepatocyte apoptosis by TNF-alpha.     

Opposite regulation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by C2-ceramide and PACAP through a MAP-kinase-dependent mechanism in cerebellar granule cells

The sphingomyelin-derived messenger ceramides provoke neuronal apoptosis through caspase-3 activation, while the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) promotes neuronal survival and inhibits caspase-3 activity. However, the mechanisms leading to the opposite regulation of caspase-3 by C2-ceramide and PACAP are currently unknown. Here, we show that PACAP prevents C2-ceramide-induced inhibition of mitochondrial potential and C2-ceramide-evoked cytochrome c release. C2-ceramide stimulated Bax expression, but had no effect on Bcl-2, while PACAP abrogated the action of C2-ceramide on Bax and stimulated Bcl-2 expression. The effects of C2-ceramide and PACAP on Bax and Bcl-2 were blocked, respectively, by the JNK inhibitor L-JNKI1 and the MEK inhibitor U0126. L-JNKI1 prevented the alteration of mitochondria induced by C2-ceramide while U0126 suppressed the protective effect of PACAP against the deleterious action of C2-ceramide on mitochondrial potential. Moreover, L-JNKI1 inhibited the stimulatory effect of C2-ceramide on caspase-9 and -3 and prevented C2-ceramide-induced cell death. U0126 blocked PACAP-induced Bcl-2 expression, abrogated the inhibitory effect of PACAP on ceramide-induced caspase-9 activity, and promoted granule cell death. The present study reveals that C2-ceramide and PACAP exert opposite effects on Bax and Bcl-2 through, respectively, JNK- and ERK-dependent mechanisms. These data indicate that the mitochondrial pathway plays a pivotal role in the pro- and anti-apoptotic effects of C2-ceramide and PACAP.     

Ceramide induces neuronal apoptosis through the caspase-9/caspase-3 pathway

C(2)-ceramide, a cell-permeable analog of ceramide, caused cell death in cultured rat cortical neuronal cells. C(2)-ceramide-induced neuronal loss was accompanied by upregulation of caspase-3 activity, measured by cleavage of its fluorogenic substrate Ac-DEVD-AMC. Similar results were obtained when cortical neuronal cultures were treated with sphingomyelinase, an enzyme responsible for ceramide formation in the cell. Morphological evaluation of C(2)-ceramide-treated cortical neurons showed nuclear condensation and fragmentation as visualized by Hoechst 33258 staining. Co-administration of the selective caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk or caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk significantly reduced C(2)-ceramide-induced cell death, while co-application of the caspase-8, inhibitor z-IETD-fmk, was without effect. Immunoblot analysis of protein extracts from C(2)-ceramide-treated cortical neuronal cultures revealed upregulation of active caspase-9 and caspase-3 protein levels, whereas presence of active caspase-8 immunoreactivity was undetectable in this system. Administration of C(2)-ceramide to SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells also caused apoptotic cell death. Moreover, ceramide-induced cell death was significantly decreased in caspase-9 dominant-negative SH-SY5Y cells, while both caspase-8 dominant-negative cultures and mock-transfected cells showed equally high levels of cell death following C(2)-ceramide treatment. Taken together, these data suggest that neuronal death induced by ceramide may be linked to the caspase-9/caspase-3 regulated intrinsic pathway of cellular apoptosis.     

Sindbis virus entry into cells triggers apoptosis by activating sphingomyelinase, leading to the release of ceramide

Sindbis virus (SV) causes acute encephalomyelitis by infecting and inducing the death of neurons. Induction of apoptosis occurs during virus entry and involves acid-induced conformational changes in the viral surface glycoproteins and sphingomyelin (SM)-dependent fusion of the virus envelope with the endosomal membrane. We have studied neuroblastoma cells to determine how this entry process triggers cell death. Acidic sphingomyelinase was activated during entry followed by activation of neutral sphingomyelinase, SM degradation, and a sustained increase in ceramide. Ceramide-induced apoptosis and SV-induced apoptosis could be inhibited by treatment with Z-VAD-fmk, a caspase inhibitor, and by overexpression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic cellular protein. Acid ceramidase, expressed in a recombinant SV, decreased intracellular ceramide and protected cells from apoptosis. The data suggest that acid-induced SM-dependent virus fusion initiates the apoptotic cascade by inducing SM degradation and ceramide release.     

Proteasome inhibition can induce an autophagy-dependent apical activation of caspase-8

Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins are often highly expressed in chemotherapy-resistant cancers and impair mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilisation (MOMP), an important requirement for caspase activation via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Interestingly, although Bcl-2 overexpression in HeLa cervical cancer cells abrogated caspase processing in response to intrinsic apoptosis induction by staurosporine, tunicamycin or etoposide, residual caspase processing was observed following proteasome inhibition by bortezomib ([(1R)-3-methyl-1-({(2S)-3-phenyl-2-[(pyrazin-2-ylcarbonyl)amino]propanoyl}amino)butyl]boronic acid), epoxomicin (N-acetyl-N-methyl-lisoleucyl-L-isoleucyl-N-[(1S)-3-methyl-1-[[(2R)-2-methyloxiranyl]carbonyl]butyl]-L-threoninamide) or MG-132 (N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)leucinylleucinylleucinal). Similar responses were found in Bcl-2-overexpressing H460 NSCLC cells and Bax/Bak-deficient mouse embyronic fibroblasts. Mild caspase processing resulted in low DEVDase activities, which were MOMP independent and persisted for long periods without evoking immediate cell death. Surprisingly, depletion of caspase-3 and experiments in caspase-7-depleted MCF-7-Bcl-2 cells indicated that the DEVDase activity did not originate from effector caspases. Instead, Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-dependent caspase-8 activation was the major contributor to the slow, incomplete substrate cleavage. Caspase-8 activation was independent of death ligands, but required the induction of autophagy and the presence of Atg5. Depletion of XIAP or addition of XIAP-antagonising peptides resulted in a switch towards efficient apoptosis execution, suggesting that the requirement for MOMP was bypassed by activating the caspase-8/caspase-3 axis. Combination treatments of proteasome inhibitors and XIAP antagonists therefore represent a promising strategy to eliminate highly resistant cancer cells, which overexpress antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members.     

A defect in cytosolic carboxypeptidase 1 (Nna1) causes autophagy in Purkinje cell degeneration mouse brain

Ceramide is a sphingolipid bioactive molecule that induces apoptosis and other forms of cell death, and triggers macroautophagy (referred to below as autophagy). Like amino acid starvation, ceramide triggers autophagy by interfering with the mTOR-signaling pathway, and by dissociating the Beclin 1:Bcl-2 complex in a c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1)-mediated Bcl-2 phosphorylation-dependent manner. Dissociation of the Beclin 1:Bcl-2 complex, and the subsequent stimulation of autophagy have been observed in various contexts in which the cellular level of long-chain ceramides was increased. It is notable that the conversion of short-chain ceramides (C₂-ceramide and C₆-ceramide) into long-chain ceramide via the activity of ceramide synthase is required to trigger autophagy. The dissociation of the Beclin 1:Bcl-2 complex has also been observed in response to tamoxifen and PDMP (an inhibitor of the enzyme that converts ceramide to glucosylceramide), drugs that increase the intracellular level of long-chain ceramides. However, and in contrast to starvation, overexpression of Bcl-2 does not blunt ceramide-induced autophagy. Whether this autophagy that is unchecked by forced dissociation of the Beclin 1:Bcl-2 complex is related to the ability of ceramide to trigger cell death remains an open question. More generally, the question of whether ceramide-induced autophagy is a dedicated cell death mechanism deserves closer scrutiny.     

Dimerization and processing of procaspase-9 by redox stress in mitochondria

We studied the mechanism of intra-mitochondrial death initiator caspase-9 activation by a redox response, in which hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) caused a subtle decrease in the inner membrane potential (Deltapsim) with little evidence of cytochrome c release. Initiation of the intra-mitochondrial autocleavage of procaspase-9 preceded the onset of caspase cascade induction in the cytosol. Purified mitochondria demonstrated procaspase-9 processing and releasing abilities when exposed to H(2)O(2). Bcl-2 overexpression caused accumulation of the active form caspase-9 in the mitochondria, rendering the cells resistant to the redox stress. Intriguingly, disulfide-bonded dimers of autoprocessed caspase-9 were generated in the mitochondria in the pre-apoptotic phase. Using a substrate-analog inhibitor, dimer formation of procaspase-9 was also detectable inside the mitochondria. Furthermore, thiol reductant thioredoxin blocked the caspase-9 activation step and the cell death induction. Thus, redox stress-responsive thiol-disulfide converting reactions in the mitochondrion seemed to mediate procaspase-9 assembly that allows autoprocessing. This study offers an explanation for the recent observation that Apaf-1-null cells can execute apoptosis, which can be blocked by Bcl-2, and supports the proposition that the cytochrome c-Apaf-1-procaspase-9 complex functions in the caspase amplification rather than in its initiation.     

nSMase2 activation and trafficking are modulated by oxidative stress to induce apoptosis

We have previously shown that accumulation of ceramide, triggered by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), induces apoptosis of human airway epithelial (HAE) cells. Under oxidant exposure, a lung sphingomyelinase (SMase) is activated and displays continued ceramide generation and pro-apoptotic signaling, thus leading to the pathological apoptosis that causes lung injury. In a search for a specific SMase that is modulated by oxidative stress, we recently cloned nSMase2 from monkey lung tissue and HAE cells. Here, we show that this nSMase2 is up-regulated by an oxidant (H(2)O(2)) and is inhibited by an antioxidant (glutathione (GSH)). Moreover, nSMase2 subcellular localization is governed by oxidant exposure, which leads to its preferential trafficking to the plasma membrane, where it generates ceramide and induces apoptosis. On the other hand, exposure to GSH results in nSMase2 trafficking to the nucleus, where it neither generates ceramide nor induces apoptosis.     

Bcl-2 attenuates anticancer agents-induced apoptosis by sustained activation of Akt/protein kinase B in U937 cells

Aberrant overexpression of antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 protein family contributes to resistance to anticancer therapeutic drugs. Thus, this protein represent attractive target for novel anticancer agents. In the present study, we determined the effect of the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 on caspase-3 activation, PLC-γ1 degradation and Akt activation during the various anticancer agents-induced apoptosis. Treatment with chrysin for 12 h produced morphological features of apoptosis in U937 cells, which was associated with caspase-3 activation and PLC-γ1 degradation. Induction of apoptosis was also accompanied by down-regulation of XIAP and inactivation of Akt. Chrysin-induced caspase-3 activation, PLC-γ1 degradation and apoptosis were significantly attenuated in Bcl-2 overexpressing U937/Bcl-2 cells. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 appeared to inhibit ceramide-, and Akt specific inhibitor (SH-6)-induced apoptosis by sustained Akt activation. Thus, our findings imply that some of the biological functions of Bcl-2 may be attributed to their ability to inhibit anticancer agents-induced apoptosis through the sustained Akt activation.     

Suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced caspase activation and cell death by the overexpression of Bcl-xL or Bcl-2

Continuous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, such as the accumulation of unfolded proteins, results in cell death and relates to the pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases. Treatment of brefeldin A, an inhibitor of transport between the ER and Golgi complex, induced cell death during 24 h, which accompanied activation of caspase-2, caspase-3 and caspase-9, starting at 12 h and increasing time-dependently up to 28 h. Caspase-2 was expressed and activated in not only mitochondria and cytosol, but also in the microsomal fraction containing ER and Golgi. Of note is that overexpression of Bcl-x(L) or Bcl-2 in PC12 cells markedly suppressed brefeldin A-induced activation of caspases and resulting cell death. Delivery of anti-Bcl-2 antibody into the Bcl-2-overexpressed cells again recovered apoptosis. While the brefeldin A-treatment induced the phosphorylation of both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK, overexpression of Bcl-x(L) or Bcl-2 reduced the prolonged phosphorylation of JNK, but not of p38 MAPK. Pretreatment with a JNK inhibitor, SP600125, suppressed the brefeldin A-induced caspase-2 activation and cell death significantly. Thus, our results suggest that protective effects of Bcl-x(L) and Bcl-2 against brefeldin A-induced cell death appear to be dependent on the regulation of JNK activation.     

Ceramide-induced G2 arrest in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells requires p21Cip1/Waf1 induction and is prevented by MDM2 overexpression

The sphingoplipid ceramide is responsible for a diverse range of biochemical and cellular responses including a putative role in modulating cell cycle progression. Herein, we describe that an accumulation of ceramide, achieved through the exogenous application of C(6)-ceramide or exposure to sphingomyelinase, induces a G(2) arrest in Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cell lines. Utilizing the RMS cell line RD, we show that this G(2) arrest required the rapid induction of p21(Cip1/Waf1) independent of DNA damage. This was followed at later time points (48 h) by the commitment to apoptosis. Apoptosis was prevented by Bcl-2 overexpression, but permitted the maintenance of elevated p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein expression and the stabilization of the G(2) arrest response. Inhibition of p21(Cip1/Waf1) protein synthesis with cyclohexamide (CHX) or silencing of p21(Cip1/Waf1) with siRNA, prevented ceramide-mediated G(2) arrest and the late induction of apoptosis. Further, adopting the recent discovery that murine double minute 2 (MDM2) controls p21(Cip1/Waf1) expression by presenting this CDK inhibitor to the proteasome for degradation, RD cells overexpressing MDM2 abrogated ceramide-mediated p21(Cip1/Waf1) induction, G(2) arrest and the late ensuing apoptosis. Collectively, these data further support the notion that ceramide accumulation can modulate cell cycle progression. Additionally, these observations highlight MDM2 expression and proteasomal activity as key determinants of the cellular response to ceramide accumulation.     

Mild thermotolerance induced at 40°C protects HeLa cells against activation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis by hydrogen peroxide

Preexposure to mild temperatures such as 40°C induces thermotolerance, whereby cells resist subsequent exposure to a toxic insult. This study investigates the protective effect of mild thermotolerance (3h, 40°C) against activation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis by H(2)O(2) in HeLa cells. H(2)O(2) (5-50μM) caused rapid activation (1-3h) of the Fas death receptor pathway of apoptosis, which was evident by up-regulation of the death ligand FasL and recruitment of the adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain to the plasma membrane. This resulted in activation of caspase-8 and caspase-2, which led to activation of the cross-talk pathway involving Bid cleavage, t-Bid translocation to mitochondria, and caspase-9 activation. These changes were all diminished in thermotolerant cells. Mild thermotolerance also protected cells against cytotoxicity from H(2)O(2) as well as execution-phase events of apoptosis such as caspase-3 activation and chromatin condensation. The antioxidant polyethylene glycol-catalase abolished FasL induction and caspase-8 activation due to H(2)O(2). FasL up-regulation; activation of caspases-8, -2, -9, and -3; and chromatin condensation were decreased by the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α, implicating p53 as an upstream factor in the activation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis by H(2)O(2). This study advances knowledge about the protective effect of adaptive responses induced by mild stresses, such as fever temperatures, against induction of apoptosis by oxidative stress.     

The selection between apoptosis and necrosis is differentially regulated in hydrogen peroxide-treated and glutathione-depleted human promonocytic cells

Treatment with 0.2 mM hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or with 0.5 mM cisplatin caused caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation and death by apoptosis in U-937 human promonocytic cells. However, treatment with 2 mM H(2)O(2), or incubation with the glutathione suppressor DL-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO) prior to treatment with cisplatin, suppressed caspase activation and changed the mode of death to necrosis. Treatment with 2 mM H(2)O(2) caused a great decrease in the intracellular ATP level, which was partially prevented by 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA). Correspondingly, 3-ABA restored the activation of caspases and the execution of apoptosis. By contrast, BSO plus cisplatin did not decrease the ATP levels, and the generation of necrosis by this treatment was not affected by 3-ABA. On the other hand, while all apoptosis-inducing treatments and treatment with 2 mM H(2)O(2) caused Bax translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria as well as cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol, treatment with BSO plus cisplatin did not. Treatment with cisplatin alone caused Bid cleavage, while BSO plus cisplatin as well as 0.2 and 2 mM H(2)O(2) did not. Bcl-2 overexpression reduced the generation of necrosis by H(2)O(2), but not by BSO plus cisplatin. These results indicate the existence of different apoptosis/necrosis regulatory mechanisms in promonocytic cells subjected to different forms of oxidative stress.     

N-terminal cleavage of bax by calpain generates a potent proapoptotic 18-kDa fragment that promotes bcl-2-independent cytochrome C release and apoptotic cell death

Upon apoptosis induction, the proapoptotic protein Bax is translocated from the cytosol to mitochondria, where it promotes release of cytochrome c, a caspase-activating protein. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Bax triggers cytochrome c release are unknown. Here we report that before the initiation of apoptotic execution by etoposide or staurosporin, an active calpain activity cleaves Bax at its N-terminus, generating a potent proapoptotic 18-kDa fragment (Bax/p18). Both the calpain-mediated Bax cleavage activity and the Bax/p18 fragment were found in the mitochondrial membrane-enriched fraction. Cleavage of Bax was followed by release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and fragmentation of DNA. Unlike the full-length Bax, Bax/p18 did not interact with the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein in the mitochondrial fraction of drug-treated cells. Pretreatment with a specific calpain inhibitor calpeptin inhibited etoposide-induced calpain activation, Bax cleavage, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. In contrast, transfection of a cloned Bax/p18 cDNA into multiple human cancer cell lines targeted Bax/p18 to mitochondria, which was accompanied by release of cytochrome c and induction of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis that was not blocked by overexpression of Bcl-2 protein. Therefore, Bax/p18 has a cytochrome c-releasing activity that promotes cell death independent of Bcl-2. Finally, Bcl-2 overexpression inhibited etoposide-induced calpain activation, Bax cleavage, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis. Our results suggest that the mitochondrial calpain plays an essential role in apoptotic commitment by cleaving Bax and generating the Bax/p18 fragment, which in turn mediates cytochrome c release and initiates the apoptotic execution.