Dataset Information

A novel role for microtubules in apoptotic chromatin dynamics and cellular fragmentation.

ABSTRACT: Dramatic changes in cellular dynamics characterise the apoptotic execution phase, culminating in fragmentation into membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. Previous evidence suggests that actin-myosin plays a dominant role in apoptotic cellular remodelling, whereas all other cytoskeletal elements dismantle. We have used fixed cells and live-cell imaging to confirm that interphase microtubules rapidly depolymerise at the start of the execution phase. Around this time, pericentriolar components (pericentrin, ninein and gamma-tubulin) are lost from the centrosomal region. Subsequently, however, extensive non-centrosomal bundles of densely packed, dynamic microtubules rapidly assemble throughout the cytoplasm in all cell lines tested. These microtubules have an important role in the peripheral relocation of chromatin in the dying cell, because nocodazole treatment restricts the dispersal of condensed apoptotic chromatin into surface blebs, and causes the withdrawal of chromatin fragments back towards the cell centre. Importantly, nocodazole and taxol are both potent inhibitors of apoptotic fragmentation in A431 cells, implicating dynamic microtubules in apoptotic body formation. Live-cell-imaging studies indicate that fragmentation is accompanied by the extension of rigid microtubule-rich spikes that project through the cortex of the dying cell. These structures enhance interactions between apoptotic cells and phagocytes in vitro, by providing additional sites for attachment to neighbouring cells.

SUBMITTER: Moss DK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1592606 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A novel role for microtubules in apoptotic chromatin dynamics and cellular fragmentation.

Moss David K DK Betin Virginie M VM Malesinski Soazig D SD Lane Jon D JD

Journal of cell science 20060601 Pt 11

Dramatic changes in cellular dynamics characterise the apoptotic execution phase, culminating in fragmentation into membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. Previous evidence suggests that actin-myosin plays a dominant role in apoptotic cellular remodelling, whereas all other cytoskeletal elements dismantle. We have used fixed cells and live-cell imaging to confirm that interphase microtubules rapidly depolymerise at the start of the execution phase. Around this time, pericentriolar components (pericent ...[more]

PMID: 16723742

Similar Datasets

Project description:Apoptotic microtubule network (AMN) is organized during apoptosis, forming a cortical structure beneath plasma membrane, which has an important role in preserving cell morphology and plasma membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to examine the role of AMN in maintaining plasma membrane integrity during the execution phase of apoptosis. We demonstrated in camptothecin-induced apoptosis in H460 cells that AMN delimits an active caspase free area beneath plasma membrane that permits the preservation of cellular cortex and transmembrane proteins. AMN depolymerization in apoptotic cells by a short exposure to colchicine allowed active caspases to reach the cellular cortex and cleave many key proteins involved in plasma membrane structural support, cell adhesion and ionic homeostasis. Cleavage of cellular cortex and plasma membrane proteins, such as ?-spectrin, paxilin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), E-cadherin and integrin subunit ?4 was associated with cell collapse and cell detachment. Otherwise, cleavage-mediated inactivation of calcium ATPase pump (PMCA-4) and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) involved in cell calcium extrusion resulted in calcium overload. Furthermore, cleavage of Na(+)/K(+) pump subunit ? was associated with altered sodium homeostasis. Cleavage of cell cortex and plasma membrane proteins in apoptotic cells after AMN depolymerization increased plasma permeability, ionic imbalance and bioenergetic collapse, leading apoptotic cells to secondary necrosis. The essential role of caspase-mediated cleavage in this process was demonstrated because the concomitant addition of colchicine that induces AMN depolymerization and the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD avoided the cleavage of cortical and plasma membrane proteins and prevented apoptotic cells to undergo secondary necrosis. Furthermore, the presence of AMN was also critical for proper phosphatidylserine externalization and apoptotic cell clearance by macrophages. These results indicate that AMN is essential to preserve an active caspase free area in the cellular cortex of apoptotic cells that allows plasma membrane integrity during the execution phase of apoptosis.

Project description:Maytansine is a potent microtubule-targeted compound that induces mitotic arrest and kills tumor cells at subnanomolar concentrations. However, its side effects and lack of tumor specificity have prevented successful clinical use. Recently, antibody-conjugated maytansine derivatives have been developed to overcome these drawbacks. Several conjugates show promising early clinical results. We evaluated the effects on microtubule polymerization and dynamic instability of maytansine and two cellular metabolites (S-methyl-DM1 and S-methyl-DM4) of antibody-maytansinoid conjugates that are potent in cells at picomolar levels and that are active in tumor-bearing mice. Although S-methyl-DM1 and S-methyl-DM4 inhibited polymerization more weakly than maytansine, at 100 nmol/L they suppressed dynamic instability more strongly than maytansine (by 84% and 73%, respectively, compared with 45% for maytansine). However, unlike maytansine, S-methyl-DM1 and S-methyl-DM4 induced tubulin aggregates detectable by electron microscopy at concentrations ≥2 μmol/L, with S-methyl-DM4 showing more extensive aggregate formation than S-methyl-DM1. Both maytansine and S-methyl-DM1 bound to tubulin with similar K(D) values (0.86 ± 0.2 and 0.93 ± 0.2 μmol/L, respectively). Tritiated S-methyl-DM1 bound to 37 high-affinity sites per microtubule (K(D), 0.1 ± 0.05 μmol/L). Thus, S-methyl-DM1 binds to high-affinity sites on microtubules 20-fold more strongly than vinblastine. The high-affinity binding is likely at microtubule ends and is responsible for suppression of microtubule dynamic instability. Also, at higher concentrations, S-methyl-DM1 showed low-affinity binding either to a larger number of sites on microtubules or to sedimentable tubulin aggregates. Overall, the maytansine derivatives that result from cellular metabolism of the antibody conjugates are themselves potent microtubule poisons, interacting with microtubules as effectively as or more effectively than the parent molecule.

Dataset Information

A novel role for microtubules in apoptotic chromatin dynamics and cellular fragmentation.

Publications

A novel role for microtubules in apoptotic chromatin dynamics and cellular fragmentation.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets