Abstract
We have applied to human HeLa cells two different stimuli of apoptosis: the antitumoral drug etoposide, and a more ‘physiological’ death condition, obtained by growing cells in the same medium for long time periods, for up to 10 days. Analysis of different parameters demonstrated that in both experimental systems the same apoptotic features are visible. However, the DNA degradation pattern appeared to be different, suggesting the involvement of different DNases. In this view, we have analyzed the activity and expression of Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent and acid DNases. We have observed that DNase I is not modulated during apoptosis. In contrast, the acid L-DNase II (derived from Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitor by post-translational modification), recently identified in our laboratory, is mainly active in the apoptotic pathway induced by long term-culture. Furthermore, we have provided evidence that while caspase 3 is activated by both inducers, caspase 1 is essential only for the etoposide-induced apoptosis.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Edited by J. Cidlowski
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Torriglia, A., Negri, C., Chaudun, E. et al. Differential involvement of DNases in HeLa cell apoptosis induced by etoposide and long term-culture. Cell Death Differ 6, 234–244 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cdd.4400486
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cdd.4400486
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Multiple effects of the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor HMA on cancer cells
Apoptosis (2013)
-
Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and leukocyte elastase inhibitor/l-DNase II (LEI/LDNaseII), can interact to conduct caspase-independent cell death
Apoptosis (2013)
-
Trashing the genome: the role of nucleases during apoptosis
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology (2005)
-
Irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor CI-1033 induces caspase-independent apoptosis in colorectal cancer DiFi cell line
Apoptosis (2005)
-
An antagonist of retinoic acid receptors more effectively inhibits growth of human prostate cancer cells than normal prostate epithelium
British Journal of Cancer (2004)
