title: RELT induces cellular death in HEK 293 epithelial cells.
abstract: RELT is a recently identified Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor that possess two homologues in humans named RELL1 and RELL2. We investigated whether RELT and its homologues could induce cellular death when transiently transfected into HEK 293 epithelial cells. Transfection of RELT family members into HEK 293 epithelial cells induced cell death characterized by rounding and lifting of cells accompanied by DNA fragmentation, characteristics that are consistent with the activation of an apoptotic pathway. Overexpression of RELT in COS-7 cells resulted in cell rounding and lifting without DNA fragmentation, suggesting that the effects of RELT signaling may vary among different cell types. In summary, we report that overexpression of RELT or its homologues RELL1 and RELL2 in HEK 293 epithelial cells results in cell death with morphological characteristics consistent with the activation of an apoptotic pathway.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine, Department of Craniofacial Biology, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. john.cusick@ucdenver.edu
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Cusick
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustian
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Reyland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D019556:COS Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C508561:RELL1 protein, human; C508562:RELL2 protein, human; C427545:RELT; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2