scholarly journals Efficient apoptosis requires feedback amplification of upstream apoptotic signals by effector caspase-3 or -7

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. eaau9433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott McComb ◽  
Pik Ki Chan ◽  
Anna Guinot ◽  
Holmfridur Hartmannsdottir ◽  
Silvia Jenni ◽  
...  

Apoptosis is a complex multi-step process driven by caspase-dependent proteolytic cleavage cascades. Dysregulation of apoptosis promotes tumorigenesis and limits the efficacy of chemotherapy. To assess the complex interactions among caspases during apoptosis, we disrupted caspase-8, -9, -3, -7, or -6 and combinations thereof, using CRISPR-based genome editing in living human leukemia cells. While loss of apical initiator caspase-8 or -9 partially blocked extrinsic or intrinsic apoptosis, respectively, only combined loss of caspase-3 and -7 fully inhibited both apoptotic pathways, with no discernible effect of caspase-6 deficiency alone or in combination. Caspase-3/7 double knockout cells exhibited almost complete inhibition of caspase-8 or -9 activation. Furthermore, deletion of caspase-3 and -7 decreased mitochondrial depolarization and cytochrome c release upon apoptosis activation. Thus, activation of effector caspase-3 or -7 sets off explosive feedback amplification of upstream apoptotic events, which is a key feature of apoptotic signaling essential for efficient apoptotic cell death.

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (07) ◽  
pp. 1497-1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinya Okubo ◽  
Takuhiro Uto ◽  
Aya Goto ◽  
Hiroyuki Tanaka ◽  
Tsuyoshi Nishioku ◽  
...  

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is a well-known bioactive compound contained in medicinal plants used in traditional and folk medicines. In this study, we investigated the subcellular localization and the apoptotic mechanisms of BBR were elucidated. First, we confirmed the incorporation of BBR into the cell visually. BBR showed antiproliferative activity and promptly localized to the nucleus from 5[Formula: see text]min to 15[Formula: see text]min after BBR treatment in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Next, we examined the antiproliferative activity of BBR (1) and its biosynthetically related compounds (2-7) in HL-60 cells. BBR exerted strongest antiproliferative activity among 1-7 and the results of structures and activity relation suggested that a methylenedioxyl group in ring A, an [Formula: see text]-alkyl group at C-9 position, and the frame of isoquinoline may be necessary for antiproliferative activity. Moreover, BBR showed the most potent antiproliferative activity in HL-60 cells among human cancer and normal cell lines tested. Next, we examined the effect of BBR on molecular events known as apoptosis induction. In HL-60 cells, BBR induced chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, and triggered the activation of PARP, caspase-3 and caspase-8 without the activation of caspase-9. BBR-induced DNA fragmentation was abolished by pretreatment with inhibitors against caspase-3 and caspase-8, but not against caspase-9. ERK and p38 were promptly phosphorylated after 15 min of BBR treatment, and this was correlated with time of localization to the nucleus of BBR. These results demonstrated that BBR translocated into nucleus immediately after treatments and induced apoptotic cell death by activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Shijiao Zha ◽  
Mikinori Ueno ◽  
Yan Liang ◽  
Seiji Okada ◽  
Tatsuya Oda ◽  
...  

Our previous studies have found that (±)-(E)-12-hydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid (HOEA) isolated from the red alga Tricleocarpa jejuensis showed cytotoxic effects on various living organisms including harmful microalgae, Gram-positive bacteria, and mammalian tumor cells. Since natural products with apoptosis-inducing ability can be promising anti-cancer agents, in this study, we investigated the cytotoxic mechanism of HOEA on U937 cells focusing on apoptosis induction. HOEA showed much stronger cytotoxic and cytolytic effects on U937 cells than elaidic acid, which has similar structure but no 12-hydroxy group, suggesting that hydroxy group is important for the cytotoxicity of HOEA. HOEA induced apoptotic nuclear morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, time-dependent increase in annexin V+/PI+ cell population in HOEA-treated U937 cells was detected. Among the apoptosis-related reagents, caspase-family inhibitor almost completely inhibited HOEA-induced DNA fragmentation. In the analyses using specific caspase-substrates, extremely high cleavage activity toward caspase-3/7/8 substrate was observed in HOEA-treated U937 cells, and weak activities of caspase-1 and -3 were detected. Analyses using specific caspase inhibitors suggested that caspase-3 and caspase-8 might be predominantly responsible for the cleavage activity. Activation of these caspases were also confirmed by western blotting in which significant levels of cleaved forms of caspase 3, caspase 8, and PARP were detected in HOEA-treated U937 cells. Our results suggest that HOEA is capable of inducing apoptosis in U937 cells in which caspase-3 and caspase-8 might play important roles. Since the cytotoxic effect of HOEA is not strictly specific to tumor cells, development of appropriate drug delivery system for selective tumor targeting is necessary for the clinical applications to reduce the possible side effects.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 4432-4432
Author(s):  
Eliane Maquarre ◽  
Cedric Artus ◽  
Zeineb Gadhoum ◽  
Claude Jasmin ◽  
Florence Smadja-Joffe ◽  
...  

Abstract We have recently reported that ligation of the CD44 cell surface antigen with A3D8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) triggers incomplete differentiation and apoptosis of the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)-derived NB4 cells. The present study characterizes the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effect of A3D8 in NB4 cells. We show that A3D8 induces activation of both initiator caspase -8 and -9, and effector caspase-3 and -7 but only inhibition of caspase-3/7 and caspase-8 reduces A3D8-induced apoptosis. Moreover, A3D8 induces mitochondrial alterations (decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm and cytochrome c release) which are reduced by caspase-8 inhibitor suggesting that caspase-8 is primarily involved in A3D8-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells. However, the apoptotic process is independent of TNF-family death receptor signalling. Interestingly, the general serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF) decreases A3D8-induced apoptosis and when combined with general caspase inhibitor displays an additive effect resulting in complete prevention of apoptosis. These results suggest that both caspase-dependent and serine protease-dependent pathways contribute to A3D8-induced apoptosis. Finally, A3D8 induces apoptosis in ATRA-resistant NB4-derived cells and in APL primary blasts, characterizing the A3D8 anti-CD44 mAb as a novel class of apoptosis-inducing agent in APL.


2012 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1369-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikiko Sodeoka ◽  
Kosuke Dodo ◽  
Yuou Teng ◽  
Katsuya Iuchi ◽  
Yoshitaka Hamashima ◽  
...  

Chaetocin, a natural product isolated from fungi of Chaetomium species, is a member of the epipolythiodiketopiperazines (ETPs), which have various biological activities, including cytostatic and anticancer activities. Recently, the inhibitory activity toward histone methyltransferases (HMTs) was discovered for chaetocin. We previously reported the first total synthesis of chaetocin and various derivatives. During studies on the structure–activity relationship for HMT inhibition, we found that the enantiomer of chaetocin (ent-chaetocin) is a more potent apoptosis inducer than natural chaetocin in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that ent-chaetocin induces apoptosis through the caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway.


Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 4096-4108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shazib Pervaiz ◽  
Mohamed A. Seyed ◽  
Jayshreekumari L. Hirpara ◽  
Marie-Véronique Clément ◽  
Kok W. Loh

Abstract If the interplay between caspase proteases and mitochondria decide the fate of the cell during apoptosis, they may constitute useful molecular targets for novel drug design. We have shown that photoactivated merocyanine 540 (pMC540) triggers caspase-mediated apoptosis in HL60 leukemia and M14 melanoma cells. Because pMC540 is a mixture of photoproducts, we set out to purify the biologically active component(s) from this mixture and to investigate their ability to directly activate intracellular caspases and/or trigger mitochondrial events associated with apoptosis. Two photoproducts, namely C1 and C2, purified and characterized by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, effectively induced apoptosis in HL60 and M14 cells. Interestingly, both C1 and C2 induced non–receptor-dependent activation of caspase 8, which was responsible for the downstream activation of caspase 3 and cell death. Both compounds induced the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria of tumor cells and from purified rat liver mitochondria; however, different mechanisms were operative in cytochrome C translocation in response to C1 or C2. C1-induced cytochrome C release was mediated by the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore and accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential (▵ψm), whereas cytochrome C release in response to C2 was independent of MPT pore opening. These findings do not exclude the possibility that changes in mitochondrial ▵ψm are critical for apoptosis in some instances, but support the notion that this may not be a universal step in the apoptotic process. Thus, identification of two novel anticancer agents that directly activate effector components of the apoptotic pathway could have potential implications for the development of newer chemotherapeutic drugs.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3415-3415
Author(s):  
Paul J. Shami ◽  
Vidya Udupi ◽  
Margaret Yu ◽  
Swati Malaviya ◽  
Joseph E. Saavedra ◽  
...  

Abstract NO induces differentiation and apoptosis in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) cells. Glutathione S-Transferases (GST) play an important role in multidrug resistance and are upregulated in 90% of AML cells. We have designed a novel prodrug class that releases NO on metabolism by GST. O2-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-[(4-ethoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (JS-K, a member of this class) has potent antileukemic activity. We have previously shown that JS-K induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells by a caspase dependent mechanism (Molecular Cancer Therapeutics2:409-417,2003). The purpose of this study was to determine the pathway through which JS-K induces apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that treatment of HL-60 cells with JS-K (0 – 1 μM) for 6 hours results in release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria in a dose dependent fashion. Treatment with JS-K resulted in a dose dependent activation of Caspase 9. Sixteen and 24 hours after exposure to 1 μM JS-K, Caspase 9 activity was induced by 393 ± 93% and 237 ± 13% of control, respectively (p = 0.03 at the 24 hours time point). Treatment with JS-K resulted in a dose dependent activation of Caspase 3. Twenty four hours after exposure to 1 μM JS-K, Caspase 3 activity was 208 ± 3.4 % of control (p = 0.02). Treatment with JS-K also resulted in a dose dependent activation of Caspase 8, but to a lesser extent than Caspase 9 and 3. Twenty four hours after exposure to 1 μM JS-K, Caspase 8 activity was 144 ± 5.3 % of control (p = 0.04). We conclude that JS-K activates the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in leukemia cells by inducing the release of Cytochrome c from mitochondria. (NO1-CO-12400).


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4988-4988
Author(s):  
Yang Yan ◽  
Ma Jing ◽  
Tian Jinju ◽  
Chen Liyi ◽  
Songmei Yin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Platelets are versatile cells and play important roles in hemostasis/thrombosis, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is linked to platelet hyperactivity which is considered an independent risk factor for CVDs. Platelets are critical for promoting the progression of CVDs, and platelet apoptosis have been reported to be involved in platelet activation. Anthocyanins are major phytochemicals abundant in plant food and have been shown to play a protective role against CVDs. Our previous studies demonstrated that anthocyanins from plant food significantly inhibited platelet activation, adhesion, aggregation and granule secretion, as well as attenuated thrombus growth at both arterial and venous shear stresses in vitro and in vivo, however, the effects of anthocyanin on platelet apoptosis and its mechanisms have not been explored. In the present study, we examined whether anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-glucoside (Cy-3-g) affect platelet apoptosis and the BCL-2/BCL-XL intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Methods: Cy-3-g, the predominant bioactive compound of anthocyanin preparations, was obtained from Polyphenol AS Company in Norway.Purified gel-filtered platelets from healthy volunteers were incubated at 37oC for 40 minutes with different concentrations of Cy-3-g (0.5、5、50μM) or PBS buffer as a control. the activated platelets were triggered with 0.5U thrombin for 15min to induce apoptosis. Mitochondria membrane potential (Δψm) and membrane phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in both activated and resting platelets were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytochrome C release, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, cleavage of gelsolin, the levels of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins such as BCL-2, BCL-XL and proapoptotic BCL-2 family proteins Bax, Bak, Bad, Bid and tBid in both activated and resting platelets were measured by western blotting. Results: Cy-3-g at 5μM and 50μM directly induced significant ΔΨm dissipation in activated platelets dose dependently. Correspondingly, 50μM Cy-3-g increased cytochrome C release compared to control. The expression of pro-caspase-8 and pro-caspase-9 decreased, activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 was induced in activated platelets in both 5μM and 50μM Cy-3-g groups. Both PS exposure and the cleavage of gelsolin increased in activated platelets, however these effects were only observed at Cy-3-g doses as high as 50μM. Cy-3-g did not induce the above changes in resting platelets. The intrinsic apoptotic pathway was initiated by Cy-3-g treatment in activated platelets; Cy-3-g significantly inhibited the expression of BCL-2, BCL-XL and increased the levels of Bax, Bak, Bad and Bid in activated platelets dose dependently. No significant difference was observed in resting platelets. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate for the first time that purified anthocyanin Cy-3-g directly accelerated apoptosis in activated platelets via the BCL-2/BCL-XL pathway. Anthocyanins may possess therapeutic potential for patients suffering from thrombotic conditions. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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