Induction of apoptosis in AK-5 cells by rotenone involves participation of caspases.
AK-5 tumour cells undergo apoptosis after treatment with rotenone an electron transport inhibitor and oligomycin which inhibits mitochondrial ATPases. Apoptotic process involves the induction of caspases 2 and 3, whereas caspase 1 does not seem to be participating in rotenone/oligomycin induced apoptosis. DEVD which is a specific inhibitor of caspase 3, inhibited apoptosis in AK-5 cells. We have also observed a significant lowering of intracellular pH in AK-5 cells which are induced into the apoptotic process by rotenone. These results suggest an important role for mitochondrial electron transport in the induction of apoptosis in AK-5 tumour cells.
Khar
A
A
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India. khar@ccmb.ap.nic.in
Ali
A M
AM
Begum
Z
Z
Pardhasaradhi
B V
BV
Varalakshmi
C
C
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012402:Rotenone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012402:Rotenone; D020169:Caspases