title: pH-dependent DNA cleavage in permeabilized human fibroblasts.
abstract: In several cell types, apoptosis is associated with intracellular acidification and activation of a pH-dependent endonuclease. We have examined the effect of acidic pH on the DNA of permeabilized human fibroblasts, and observed cleavage of DNA into high-molecular-mass fragments. This pH-dependent DNA breakage was modulated by temperature, the presence of histones and diethyl pyrocarbonate. Superoxide dismutase and chelators with high affinity for Cu prevented DNA fragmentation, whereas catalase, DMSO and Desferal (desferrioxamine mesylate) offered no protection. Fragmentation of DNA into high-molecular-mass fragments, which is occasionally observed as an early phase of apoptosis, is thought to result from the activation of endonuclease(s). Our results suggest that such fragmentation also occurs through induction of copper-mediated site-specific DNA damage that is enhanced by intracellular acidification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiobiology, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Czene
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tibäck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harms-Ringdahl
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D005047:Etoposide; D004247:DNA; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D004720:Endonucleases; D003676:Deferoxamine; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide