Specific biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis, namely internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and
caspase-3 activation, appear in the aftermath of
status epilepticus (SE). This led us to hypothesize that
caspase-activated DNase (CAD) is involved in DNA fragmentation and apoptotic neuronal cell death following SE. The present study aimed to determine whether SE is associated with an activation of CAD, as reflected in the degradation of the
CAD inhibitor, ICAD. SE was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by
kainic acid (12 mg/kg i.p.) and
seizures were terminated with
diazepam after 2 h. At 24, 48, or 72 h after SE termination,
protein levels of CAD and ICAD were measured by Western blotting (after
sodium dodecyl sulfate-
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) using specific
antibodies. At 48 and 72 h after SE termination, ICAD
protein levels significantly decreased (by more than 60%) in rhinal cortex and hippocampus as compared with those in the same tissue from animals not experiencing SE. No changes were detected in total CAD
protein levels at any time point, resulting in an increase in the ratio of CAD to its inhibitor. The loss of ICAD following SE is indicative of a disinhibition of CAD, leading to DNA fragmentation. Consistent with this, we observed that the decrease in ICAD between 24 and 48 h was accompanied by a marked increase in DNA fragmentation. Our results support the proposal that CAD participates in caspase-3-mediated internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in the aftermath of SE.