Adenosine induced apoptosis in BHK cells via P1 receptors and equilibrative nucleoside transporters.
Adenosine, as a ubiquitous metabolite, mediates many physiological functions via activation of plasma membrane receptors. Mechanisms of most of its physiological roles have been studied extensively, but research on adenosine-induced apoptosis (AIA) has only started recently. In this study we demonstrate that adenosine dose-dependently triggered apoptosis of cultured baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. Adenosine-induced apoptotic cell death was characterized by DNA laddering, changes in nuclear chromatin morphology and phosphatidylserine staining. Apoptosis was also quantified by flow cytometry. Results suggest the involvement of adenosine A1 and A3 receptors as well as equilibrative nucleoside transporters in apoptosis induced by adenosine. These results indicate a receptor-transporter co-signaling mechanism in AIA in BHK cells. The involvement of A1 and A3 receptors also implies a possible apoptotic pathway mediated by G protein-coupled receptors.
Sun
Wentian
W
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Republic of Singapore.
Khoo
Hoon Eng
HE
Tan
Chee Hong
CH
D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D007668:Kidney; D007700:Kinetics; D033703:Nucleoside Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D033703:Nucleoside Transport Proteins; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D000241:Adenosine