cytochrome-c-t and 1-3-dihydroxy-4-4-5-5-tetramethyl-2-(4-carboxyphenyl)tetrahydroimidazole

Chitosan (CHT) is a non-toxic and inexpensive compound obtained by deacetylation of chitin, the main component of the exoskeleton of arthropods as well as of the cell walls of many fungi. In agriculture CHT is used to control numerous diseases on various horticultural commodities but, although different mechanisms have been proposed, the exact mode of action of CHT is still unknown. In sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cultured cells, CHT induces a set of defense/stress responses that includes production of H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO). We investigated the possible signaling role of these reactive molecules in some CHT-induced responses by means of inhibitors of production and/or scavengers. The results show that both reactive nitrogen and oxygen species are not only a mere symptom of stress conditions but are involved in the responses induced by CHT in sycamore cells. In particular, NO appears to be involved in a cell death form induced by CHT that shows apoptotic features like DNA fragmentation, increase in caspase-3-like activity and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrion. On the contrary, reactive oxygen species (ROS) appear involved in a cell death form induced by CHT that does not show these apoptotic features but presents increase in lipid peroxidation.

Topics: 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene-3,5-Disulfonic Acid Disodium Salt; Acer; Apoptosis; Benzoates; Caspase 3; Cells, Cultured; Chitosan; Cytochromes c; DNA Fragmentation; Hydrogen Peroxide; Imidazoles; Lipid Peroxidation; Nitric Oxide; Plant Cells; Reactive Nitrogen Species; Reactive Oxygen Species

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a vital role in plant development and is involved in defence mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. Different forms of PCD have been described in plants on the basis of the cell organelle first involved. In sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cultured cells, the phytotoxin fusicoccin (FC) induces cell death. However, only a fraction of the dead cells shows the typical hallmarks of animal apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrion. In this work, we show that the scavenging of nitric oxide (NO), produced in the presence of FC, by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) and rutin inhibits cell death without affecting DNA fragmentation and cytochrome c release. In addition, we show that FC induces a massive depolymerization of actin filaments that is prevented by the NO scavengers. Finally, the addition of actin-depolymerizing drugs induces PCD in control cells and overcomes the inhibiting effect of cPTIO on FC-induced cell death. Vice versa, the addition of actin-stabilizing drugs to FC-treated cells partially inhibits the phytotoxin-induced PCD. These results suggest that besides an apoptotic-like form of PCD involving the release of cytochrome c, FC induces at least another form of cell death, likely mediated by NO and independent of cytochrome c release, and they make it tempting to speculate that changes in actin cytoskeleton are involved in this form of PCD.

Topics: Acer; Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Apoptosis; Benzoates; Cell Nucleus; Cells, Cultured; Cytochalasin D; Cytochromes c; Cytoskeleton; Depsipeptides; DNA Fragmentation; Glycosides; Hydrogen Peroxide; Imidazoles; Nitric Oxide; Rutin

The present study investigates the effect of sulfonylurea glibenclamide on the cytotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) in differentiated PC12 cells in relation to changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability. Glibenclamide and tolbutamide reduced the MPP+-induced cell death and GSH depletion concentration dependently with a maximal inhibitory effect at 5-10 microM. Despite the toxic effect at 20 microM, sulfonylureas showed an inhibitory effect. N-Acetylcysteine, superoxide dismutase, catalase, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide and Mn(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride inhibited the cytotoxicity of MPP+. Glibenclamide attenuated the nuclear damage, changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, caspase-3 activation and formation of reactive oxygen species due to MPP+ in PC12 cells. The results show that glibenclamide may reduce the MPP+-induced viability loss in PC12 cells by suppressing the changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, leading to the release of cytochrome c and subsequent activation of caspase-3, which are associated with the increased reactive oxygen species formation and depletion of GSH.

Topics: 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; Acetylcysteine; Animals; Apoptosis; Benzoates; Caspase 3; Caspases; Catalase; Cell Nucleus; Cell Survival; Cytochromes c; DNA Fragmentation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme Activation; Glutathione; Glyburide; Imidazoles; Mitochondrial Membranes; PC12 Cells; Permeability; Porphyrins; Rats; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tolbutamide