On the evolution of erythrocyte programmed cell death: apoptosis of Rana esculenta nucleated red blood cells involves cysteine proteinase activation and mitochondrion permeabilization.
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.
Bratosin
Daniela
D
Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Stiinte Biologice, Splaiul Independentei no. 296, P.O. Box 17-16, 77748 Bucharest, Romania.
Estaquier
Jérôme
J
Slomianny
Christian
C
Tissier
Jean-Pierre
JP
Quatannens
Brigitte
B
Bulai
Tatiana
T
Mitrofan
Laura
L
Marinescu
Alexandru
A
Trandaburu
Ioana
I
Ameisen
Jean-Claude
JC
Montreuil
Jean
J
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*
D010768:Phosphoserine; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases