Degradation of plectin with modulation of cytokeratin 18 in human liver cells during staurosporine-induced apoptosis.
BACKGROUND
Hepatoma cells are morphologically different from those of the normal liver. Intermediate filaments (IFs) are important in building the cellular architecture and maintaining the outline of cells. Plectin is a cross-linking protein that organizes the cytoskeleton into a stable meshwork, which can maintain the uniform size and shape of hepatocytes. Apoptosis might be the most possible pathway for creating plectin deficiency in the in vivo state.


METHODS
Apoptosis was induced by staurosporine (STS) treatment in liver cells. The protein expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and plectin as well as the morphology of the liver cells and the distribution of CK18 and plectin in the cells was studied after STS treatment.


RESULTS
Plectin was cleaved in the liver cells during apoptosis and CK18 was modulated. Morphological changes were observed in the liver cells.


CONCLUSIONS
By affecting the organization of IFs, plectin might play an important role in the pleomorphism of hepatoma cells and even the tumorigenesis of hepatoma.
Department of Pathology, Jen Ai Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Yi-Hsiang
YH
Liu
Chiung-Chi
CC
Cheng
Chin-Chin
CC
Ho
Wei-Ting
WT
Chao
Ren-Jeng
RJ
Pei
Yung-Hsiang
YH
Hsu
Kun-Tu
KT
Yeh
Lu-Chang
LC
Ho
Ming-Chuang
MC
Tsai
Yih-Shyong
YS
Lai
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D053538:Keratin-18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051190:Plectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D053538:Keratin-18; D051190:Plectin; D019311:Staurosporine