Positive and negative regulation of radiation-induced apoptosis by protein kinase C.
Indicators such as clonogenic survival, transformation, and chromosomal aberrations are used to evaluate the effects of radiation on cells. Apoptosis, another such indicator, is a mode of cell death, and radiation-induced apoptosis contributes to eliminating damaged cells and preventing malformation and carcinogenesis. Understanding radiation-induced apoptosis will assist in radiotherapy for cancer and treatment of patients in accidental radiation exposure. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a serine/threonine kinase that is related to cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis, and has many roles in the radiation-induced cellular responses involving apoptosis. This review describes the functions of PKC, including its relationship with other signaling networks and oxidative stress in the regulation of radiation-induced apoptosis. Such information might provide clues for evaluating the effects of radiation and for identifying clinical applications.
Nakajima
Tetsuo
T
Radiation Effect Mechanisms Research Group, Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Japan. otetsu@nirs.go.jp
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000528:radiation effects