title: Apoptosis-inducing factor contributes to epithelial cell apoptosis induced by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
abstract: The mechanisms by which enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is involved in apoptosis induced by EPEC. Infection of intestinal epithelial cells in vitro with EPEC led to the mitochondrial and cytosolic accumulation of AIF. This effect was partially dependent on caspase activity. Knockdown of AIF with siRNA blocked cellular apoptosis in response to EPEC infection, as assessed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and oligonucleosome formation. Taken together, these data suggest that caspase-dependent mobilization of AIF contributes to EPEC-induced epithelial cell apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Derek M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Andre G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buret
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D054308:Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D020169:Caspases