Copper induces apoptosis in Aedes C6/36 cells.
The Aedes albopictus C6/36 cell clone is used as a model system to study the effects of heavy metals on insect cells. Here we report on the effects of Cu(2+) on these cells. Similar to Cd(2+) and Hg(2+), Cu(2+) induces hyperpolymerization of the microtubules; moreover, with Cu(2+) this is followed by cell aggregation and massive apoptosis. This process, which is cell density dependent, is maximal between 0.75 and 1 mM; this is just under the LC(50) as determined by a membrane integrity test. At higher Cu(2+) concentrations, cell death occurs by necrosis. Apoptosis was ascertained by fluorescence and electron microscopy and by agarose gel electrophoresis. At 0.75 mM, apoptosis started at 18-hr exposure time and the amount of apoptotic cells increased almost linearly until 42 hr; then a plateau was reached with 70-80% apoptotic cells. This is the first report on Cu(2+)-induced apoptosis in insect cells. Possible induction mechanisms are discussed in the light of existing literature on vertebrate cells.
Raes
H
H
Department of Biology, University of Gent, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. Hilda.Raes@rug.ac.be
Braeckman
B P
BP
Criel
G R
GR
Rzeznik
U
U
Vanfleteren
J R
JR
D000330:Aedes / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
D019327:Copper Sulfate