RESUMO
In the present study, we evaluated proapoptotic protein Bax on mitochondria and Ca2+ homeostasis in primary cultured astrocytes. We found that recombinant Bax (rBax, 10 and 100 ng/ml) induces a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m). This effect might be related to the inhibition of respiratory rates and a partial release of cytochrome c, which may change mitochondrial morphology. The loss of Delta Psi m and a selective permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes contribute to the release of Ca2+ from the mitochondria. This was inhibited by cyclosporin A (5 microM) and Ruthenium Red (1 microg/ml), indicating the involvement of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport mechanisms. Bax-induced mitochondrial Ca2+ release evokes Ca2+ waves and wave propagation between cells. Our results show that Bax induces mitochondrial alteration that affects Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling. These changes show that Ca2+ signals might be correlated with the proapoptotic activities of Bax.
Assuntos
Apoptose/fisiologia , Astrócitos/metabolismo , Sinalização do Cálcio/fisiologia , Cálcio/metabolismo , Líquido Intracelular/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Astrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Respiração Celular/fisiologia , Células Cultivadas , Ciclosporina/farmacologia , Citocromos c/metabolismo , Membranas Intracelulares/efeitos dos fármacos , Membranas Intracelulares/metabolismo , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Ratos , Rutênio Vermelho/farmacologia , Proteína X Associada a bcl-2RESUMO
Cellular Ca2+ signals are crucial in the control of most physiological processes, cell injury and programmed cell death through the regulation of a number of Ca2+-dependent enzymes such as phospholipases, proteases, and nucleases. Mitochondria along with the endoplasmic reticulum play pivotal roles in regulating intracellular Ca2+ content. Mitochondria are endowed with multiple Ca2+ transport mechanisms by which they take up and release Ca2+ across their inner membrane. During cellular Ca2+ overload, mitochondria take up cytosolic Ca2+, which in turn induces opening of permeability transition pores and disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim). The collapse of deltapsim along with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is followed by the activation of caspases, nuclear fragmentation and cell death. Members of the Bcl-2 family are a group of proteins that play important roles in apoptosis regulation. Members of this family appear to differentially regulate intracellular Ca2+ level. Translocation of Bax, an apoptotic signaling protein, from the cytosol to the mitochondrial membrane is another step in this apoptosis signaling pathway.
Assuntos
Apoptose/fisiologia , Sinalização do Cálcio/fisiologia , Linfocinas/fisiologia , Mitocôndrias/fisiologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/fisiologia , Animais , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas/fisiologia , Proteína X Associada a bcl-2RESUMO
Cellular Ca2+ signals are crucial in the control of most physiological processes, cell injury and programmed cell death through the regulation of a number of Ca2+-dependent enzymes such as phospholipases, proteases, and nucleases. Mitochondria along with the endoplasmic reticulum play pivotal roles in regulating intracellular Ca2+ content. Mitochondria are endowed with multiple Ca2+ transport mechanisms by which they take up and release Ca2+ across their inner membrane. During cellular Ca2+ overload, mitochondria take up cytosolic Ca2+, which in turn induces opening of permeability transition pores and disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential (Dym). The collapse of Dym along with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is followed by the activation of caspases, nuclear fragmentation and cell death. Members of the Bcl-2 family are a group of proteins that play important roles in apoptosis regulation. Members of this family appear to differentially regulate intracellular Ca2+ level. Translocation of Bax, an apoptotic signaling protein, from the cytosol to the mitochondrial membrane is another step in this apoptosis signaling pathway
Assuntos
Animais , Apoptose , Sinalização do Cálcio , Linfocinas , Mitocôndrias , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2 , Proteínas Proto-OncogênicasRESUMO
Plasma phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in arteriolar blood obtained by finger prick from 78 normal volunteers and 36 heterozygote carriers of phenylketonuria (PKU). Subjects were tested at midday, 3 to 4 hours after their breakfast. Values for the micromolar ratio of Phe/Tyr and Phe2/Tyr for control subjects fell below 1.2 and 80, respectively; values for all carriers of PKU were higher for one or both ratios. This method should be applicable to widespread screening of the general population for carriers of the gene for PKU.