Involvement of apoptosis-inducing factor during dolichyl monophosphate-induced apoptosis in U937 cells.

Abstract

Dolichyl monophosphate (Dol-P) has been found to induce apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells. During this apoptotic execution, the increase of plasma membrane fluidity (5-20 min), caspase-3-like protease activation (2-4 h), chromatin condensation and DNA ladder formation (3-4 h) were observed successively. Here, we report that reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) are early events (1-3 h) in the apoptotic process induced by Dol-P in U937 cells. The AIF was concentrated around nuclei and partly translocated to the nuclei, which was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using specific anti-AIF antibody. Both caspase-8 and caspase-3 inhibitors blocked only DNA fragmentation but not mitochondrial processes, AIF migration and chromatin condensation. These results indicate that mitochondrial changes are an early step in the apoptosis induced by Dol-P and AIF is one of the important factors which induce chromatin condensation in nuclei.

• Authors: E Yasugi, T Kumagai, Y Nishikawa, E Okuma, K Saeki, M Oshima, S A Susin, G Kroemer, A Yuo
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 480 Issue 2-3 Pg. 197-200 (Sep 01 2000) ISSN: 0014-5793 [Print] England
• PMID: 11034328 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• AIFM1 protein, human
• Apoptosis Inducing Factor
• Dolichol Phosphates
• Flavoproteins
• Membrane Proteins
• dolichol monophosphate

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Apoptosis Inducing Factor
• Cell Nucleus (drug effects)
• DNA Fragmentation (drug effects)
• Dolichol Phosphates (pharmacology)
• Flavoproteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Membrane Proteins (metabolism)
• Mitochondria (drug effects, physiology)
• U937 Cells