title: On the evolution of erythrocyte programmed cell death: apoptosis of Rana esculenta nucleated red blood cells involves cysteine proteinase activation and mitochondrion permeabilization.
abstract: Batracian Rana esculenta erythrocytes cell death induced by either calcium influx, or staurosporine, involves typical apoptotic phenotype. Our data reveal: (i) a drastic modification of the cell morphology with loss of the ellipsoidal form as assessed by phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; (ii) an exposure of the phosphatidylserine residues in the outer leaflet of the cell membrane; (iii) a caspase-3-like activity; (iv) a mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m) loss; and (v) a chromatin condensation and fragmentation. Erythrocyte chromatin condensation and fragmentation are prevented by caspase and calpain peptide inhibitors. These inhibitors also prevent Delta Psi m loss supporting the idea that mitochondria is a central sensor for Rana erythrocytes cell death. Our observations highlight the conservation of the programmed cell death machinery in erythrocytes across kingdom.
authors.affiliation: Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Stiinte Biologice, Splaiul Independentei no. 296, P.O. Box 17-16, 77748 Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bratosin
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Estaquier
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Slomianny
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tissier
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Quatannens
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bulai
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mitrofan
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marinescu
authors.forename: Ioana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Trandaburu
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ameisen
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montreuil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010539:Permeability; D010768:Phosphoserine / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D011893:Rana esculenta / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010768:Phosphoserine; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases