The induction of colonocyte differentiation in CaCo-2 cells by sodium butyrate causes an increase in glucosylceramide synthesis in order to avoid apoptosis based on ceramide.
To examine the relationship between apoptosis accompanying differentiation and sphingolipid-metabolism, CaCo-2 cells were used as a model of human intestinal epithelial cells and the variation in cellular Cer/GlcCer-content and related enzyme activities during butyrate-induced differentiation were investigated. The simultaneous administration of PDMP as a GlcCer synthase inhibitor caused a significant increase in the amount of Cers, especially palmitoyl-Cer. Butyrate caused an increase in the amount of GlcCers, especially alpha-hydroxy fatty acid-GlcCers, and in cellular GlcCer synthase activity. Cellular Cer content related to apoptosis was mainly regulated by the GlcCer synthase-based metabolism of Cers.
Yamane
Mototeru
M
Department of Biochemistry, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160, Japan. m-yamane@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Yamane
Sayoko
S
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002087:Butyrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005963:Glucosylceramides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D002087:Butyrates; D002518:Ceramides; D005963:Glucosylceramides