scholarly journals Wee1-Regulated Apoptosis Mediated by the Crk Adaptor Protein in Xenopus Egg Extracts

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (7) ◽  
pp. 1391-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse J. Smith ◽  
Erica K. Evans ◽  
Monica Murakami ◽  
Mary B. Moyer ◽  
M. Arthur Moseley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Sh2 Domain ◽  
Caspase Activation ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Apoptotic Signaling ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulator ◽  
Egg Extracts

Many of the biochemical reactions of apoptotic cell death, including mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activation, can be reconstituted in cell-free extracts derived from Xenopus eggs. In addition, because caspase activation does not occur until the egg extract has been incubated for several hours on the bench, upstream signaling processes occurring before full apoptosis are rendered accessible to biochemical manipulation. We reported previously that the adaptor protein Crk is required for apoptotic signaling in egg extracts (Evans, E.K., W. Lu, S.L. Strum, B.J. Mayer, and S. Kornbluth. 1997. EMBO (Eur. Mol. Biol. Organ.) J. 16:230–241). Moreover, we demonstrated that removal of Crk Src homology (SH)2 or SH3 interactors from the extracts prevented apoptosis. We now report the finding that the relevant Crk SH2-interacting protein, important for apoptotic signaling in the extract, is the well-known cell cycle regulator, Wee1. We have demonstrated a specific interaction between tyrosine-phosphorylated Wee1 and the Crk SH2 domain and have shown that recombinant Wee1 can restore apoptosis to an extract depleted of SH2 interactors. Moreover, exogenous Wee1 accelerated apoptosis in egg extracts, and this acceleration was largely dependent on the presence of endogenous Crk protein. As other Cdk inhibitors, such as roscovitine and Myt1, did not act like Wee1 to accelerate apoptosis, we propose that Wee1–Crk complexes signal in a novel apoptotic pathway, which may be unrelated to Wee1's role as a cell cycle regulator.

scholarly journals Multiple mechanisms determine ER network morphology during the cell cycle in Xenopus egg extracts

2013 ◽  
Vol 203 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songyu Wang ◽  
Fabian B. Romano ◽  
Christine M. Field ◽  
Tim J. Mitchison ◽  
Tom A. Rapoport
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Sensitive Factor ◽  
Protein Receptors ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Xenopus Egg ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Xenopus Egg Extracts ◽  
Network Morphology

In metazoans the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) changes during the cell cycle, with the nuclear envelope (NE) disassembling and reassembling during mitosis and the peripheral ER undergoing extensive remodeling. Here we address how ER morphology is generated during the cell cycle using crude and fractionated Xenopus laevis egg extracts. We show that in interphase the ER is concentrated at the microtubule (MT)-organizing center by dynein and is spread by outward extension of ER tubules through their association with plus ends of growing MTs. Fusion of membranes into an ER network is dependent on the guanosine triphosphatase atlastin (ATL). NE assembly requires fusion by both ATL and ER-soluble N-ethyl-maleimide–sensitive factor adaptor protein receptors. In mitotic extracts, the ER converts into a network of sheets connected by ER tubules and loses most of its interactions with MTs. Together, these results indicate that fusion of ER membranes by ATL and interaction of ER with growing MT ends and dynein cooperate to generate distinct ER morphologies during the cell cycle.

Role of sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium channel in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis: mitochondrial connection

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. H1317-H1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasna Marinovic ◽  
Marko Ljubkovic ◽  
Anna Stadnicka ◽  
Zeljko J. Bosnjak ◽  
Martin Bienengraeber
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Apoptotic Cell Death ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Neonatal Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Channel Inhibition

From time of their discovery, sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K+ (sarcKATP) channels were thought to have an important protective role in the heart during stress whereby channel opening protects the heart from stress-induced Ca2+ overload and resulting damage. In contrast, some recent studies indicate that sarcKATP channel closing can lead to cardiac protection. Also, the role of the sarcKATP channel in apoptotic cell death is unclear. In the present study, the effects of channel inhibition on apoptosis and the specific interaction between the sarcKATP channel and mitochondria were investigated. Apoptotic cell death of cultured HL-1 and neonatal cardiomyocytes following exposure to oxidative stress was significantly increased in the presence of sarcKATP channel inhibitor HMR-1098 as evidenced by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and caspase-3,7 assays. This was paralleled by an increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, suggesting activation of the mitochondrial death pathway. sarcKATP channel inhibition during stress had no effect on Bcl-2, Bad, and phospho-Bad, indicating that the increase in apoptosis cannot be attributed to these modulators of the apoptotic pathway. However, monitoring of mitochondrial Ca2+ with rhod-2 fluorescent indicator revealed that mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation during stress is potentiated in the presence of HMR-1098. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that opening of sarcKATP channels, through a specific Ca2+-related interaction with mitochondria, plays an important role in preventing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial damage during stress.

scholarly journals Dual excitation multi-fluorescence flow cytometry for detailed analyses of viability and apoptotic cell transition

10.4081/838 ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Mazzini ◽  
C Ferrari ◽  
E Erba
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Intact Cell ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Cell Cycle Phases

The discrimination of live/dead cells as well as the detection of apoptosis is a frequent need in many areas of experimental biology. Cell proliferation is linked to apoptosis and controlled by several genes. During the cell life, specific events can stimulate proliferation while others may trigger the apoptotic pathway. Very few methods (i.e. TUNEL) are now available for studies aimed at correlation between apoptosis and proliferation. Therefore, there is interest in developing new methodological approaches that are able to correlate apoptosis to the cell cycle phases. Recently new approaches have been proposed to detect and enumerate apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Among these, the most established and applied are those based on the cell membrane modifications induced in the early phases of the apoptotic process. The dye pair Hoechst 33342 (HO) and Propidium Iodide (PI), thanks to their peculiar characteristics to be respectively permeable and impermeable to the intact cell membrane, seems to be very useful. Unfortunately the spectral interaction of these dyes generates a consistent “energy transfer” from HO to PI. The co-presence of the dyes in a nucleus results in a modification in the intensity of both the emitted fluorescences. In order to designate the damaged cells (red fluorescence) to the specific cell cycle phases (blue fluorescence), we have tested different staining protocols aimed to minimize the interference of these dyes as much as possible. In cell culture models, we are able to detect serum-starved apoptotic cells as well as to designate their exact location in the cell cycle phases using a very low PI concentration. Using a Partec PAS flow cytometer equipped with HBO lamp and argon ion laser, a double UV/blue excitation has been performed. This analytical approach is able to discriminate live blue cells from the damaged (blue-red) ones even at 0.05 ?g/mL PI. The same instrumental setting allows performing other multi-colour analyses including AnnexinV-FITC as well as the possibility to make a correlated analysis to phenotype markers.

Activation of the intrinsic-apoptotic pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells by genistein- topotecan combination treatments

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Hörmann ◽  
Sivanesan Dhandayuthapani ◽  
James Kumi-Diaka ◽  
Appu Rathinavelu
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Apoptotic Pathway ◽  
Combination Treatments

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. The development of alternative preventative and/or treatment options utilizing a combination of phytochemicals and chemotherapeutic drugs could be an attractive alternative compared to conventional carcinoma treatments. Genistein isoflavone is the primary dietary phytochemical found in soy and has demonstrated anti-tumor activities in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Topotecan Hydrochloride (Hycamtin) is an FDA-approved chemotherapy for secondary treatment of lung, ovarian and cervical cancers. The purpose of this study was to detail the potential activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in LNCaP prostate cancer cells through genistein-topotecan combination treatments. Methods: LNCaP cells were cultured in complete RPMI medium in a monolayer (70-80% confluency) at 37ºC and 5% CO2. Treatment consisted of single and combination groups of genistein and topotecan for 24 hours. The treated cells were assayed for i) growth inhibition through trypan blue exclusion assay and microphotography, ii) classification of cellular death through acridine/ ethidium bromide fluorescent staining, and iii) activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through Jc-1: mitochondrial membrane potential assay, cytochrome c release and Bcl-2 protein expression.Results: The overall data indicated that genistein-topotecan combination was significantly more efficacious in reducing the prostate carcinoma’s viability compared to the single treatment options. In all treatment groups, cell death occurred primarily through the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.Conclusion: The combination of topotecan and genistein has the potential to lead to treatment options with equal therapeutic efficiency as traditional chemo- and radiation therapies, but lower cell cytotoxicity and fewer side effects in patients. Key words: topotecan; genistein; intrinsic apoptotic cell death

ZNF403, a Novel Cell Cycle Regulator

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Rui GUAN ◽  
De-Fu HOU ◽  
Xiang RAO ◽  
Yong-Jun GUAN ◽  
Yong-Mei OUYANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulator
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