Transient protection by peripheral benzodiazepine receptors during the early events of ultraviolet light-induced apoptosis.
The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a mitochondrial protein involved in the formation of mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pores which play a critical role during the early events of apoptosis. PBRs are located in many tissues and are strongly expressed in the superficial layers of human epidermis. PBRs play a protective role against free radical damage and PBR ligands modulate apoptosis. To investigate the role of PBR during the early events of ultraviolet (UV)-mediated apoptosis we compared the effects of UVB on PBR-transfected Jurkat cells and their wild type counterparts devoid of any PBR expression. Results indicate that early after UVB exposure (up to 4 h), PBR-transfected cells were more resistant to apoptosis and exhibited a delayed mitochondrial transmembrane potential drop, a diminished superoxide anions production, and a reduced caspase-3 activation. Taken together these findings suggest that PBR may regulate early death signals leading to UV induced apoptosis.
Stoebner
P E
PE
Department of Dermatology-Allergology-Photobiology, Hôpital St-Eloi, CHU Montpellier, France.
Carayon
P
P
Casellas
P
P
Portier
M
M
Lavabre-Bertrand
T
T
Cuq
P
P
Cano
J P
JP
Meynadier
J
J
Meunier
L
L
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000528:radiation effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D010539:Permeability / Q000528:radiation effects; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D013481:Superoxides; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases