Cleavage of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins during apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in human salivary gland cells.
BACKGROUND
To investigate the behavior of nuclear proteins in apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in cultured human salivary gland (HSG) cells.


METHODS
Dynamic alternations of nucleolin and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) proteins in anticancer drug-induced apoptosis of HSG cells and in a cell-free apoptotic system were examined using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical method.


RESULTS
The 110-kDa form of nucleolin and AgNOR protein decreased and the 80- and 95-kDa forms appeared during apoptosis in HSG cells and in a cell-free apoptotic system. In addition, the induction of DNA ladder formation coincided with the appearance of alternation of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins in a cell-free apoptosis. Nucleolin diffusely spread out into the nuclear material in the apoptotic body of HSG cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results indicate that alternations of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins are associated with the induction of DNA fragmentation and the final active phase of apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs in malignant salivary gland cells.
Kito
S
S
Department of Dental Radiology, Kyushu Dental College, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.
Morimoto
Y
Y
Tanaka
T
T
Haneji
T
T
Ohba
T
T
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D000097796:Nucleolin
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin; D016685:Mitomycin; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000097796:Nucleolin