title: Phosphatidylserine metabolism in human lymphoblastic cells exposed to chromium (VI).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds are widely found in different working environments. These compounds can cause apoptosis in human cells, but the mechanisms underlying chromium-induced apoptosis are not clear. A marker of apoptosis is the exposure of phosphatidylserine on cell membrane and the modification of phosphatidylserine metabolism. The aim of this study was to verify whether chromium could cause phosphatidylserine exposure and modification of its metabolism in human lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (MOLT-4).
  
  
  METHODS
  Phosphatidylserine exposure was evaluated by annexin V binding whereas phosphatidylserine metabolism was studied measuring the incorporation of [³H]serine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell treatment with Cr(VI) increases phosphatidylserine exposure and cell apoptosis, but decreases the incorporation of [³H]serine into phosphatidylserine in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Cr(VI)-induced apoptosis also through modification of phosphatidylserine exposure and metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Perugia, Piazzale G. Menghini 3, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambelunghe
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buratta
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mozzi
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muzi
mesh_terms: D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002857:Chromium / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism*; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion; D012694:Serine