title: Ceramides induce programmed cell death in Arabidopsis cells in a calcium-dependent manner.
abstract: While the role of C2-ceramide in the induction of programmed cell death (PCD) in animal systems has been well documented, little is known of its role in plant cells. Here we show that C2-ceramide induces PCD in Arabidopsis suspension cultures, which is preceded by the generation of a calcium transient and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Inhibition of the calcium transient prevented cell death, whereas inhibition of ROS had no effect on cell survival. These observations suggest that calcium signalling plays a role in ceramide-induced PCD but is independent of the generation of ROS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK. helen.townley@plants.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Townley
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Gareth I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Marc R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Leaver
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002518:Ceramides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; C064769:N-acetylsphingosine; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013110:Sphingosine; D002118:Calcium