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Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo

Publications and source records attributed to Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Different mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins are released during apoptosis in a manner that is coordinately initiated but can vary in duration.

The release of mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins to the cytosol is a key event during apoptosis. We used in situ fluorescent labeling of proteins tagged with a short tetracysteine-containing sequence to follow the release of Smac, Omi, adenylate kinase-2, cytochrome c, and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) during apoptosis and compared the release with that of cytochrome c tagged with GFP in individual cells observed over time. We observed a caspase-independent, simultaneous release of cytochrome c, Smac, Omi, and adenylate kinase-2. Although AIF release also was caspase-independent and commenced with that of the other proteins, it proceeded much more slowly and incompletely from mitochondria, perhaps because of a requirement for a secondary event. These results suggest that these proteins are released through the same mitochondrial pore and that apoptosis may not be regulated through a selective release of individual mitochondrial proteins. The timing and extent of AIF release makes it unlikely that it is involved in the induction of apoptosis, either upstream or downstream of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Confocal restricted-height imaging of suspension cells (CRISC) in a PDMS microdevice during apoptosis.

We have monitored and imaged cell death induced in human leukemic U937 cells over time using three-color confocal imaging. Three different apoptotic inducers, anti-Fas, TNF-alpha and Etoposide were used. Individual cascaded events such as loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, exposure of phosphatidyl-serine, membrane blebbing and permeabilization of the cell membrane have been observed in real time with different individual cells. From the results, an interesting heterogeneicity in the apoptotic phenotype has been observed. The CRISC method is easy to use and provides biologist with a powerful additional tool to study in real-time processes of several hours of duration such as apoptosis. We predict that the period of cell viability obtained after protein coating of the PDMS devices (>80 h) will also allow monitoring of other biological processes of longer duration or long onset time, such as mitosis, phagocytosis and differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2004

Thymidylate synthase inhibition triggers glucose-dependent apoptosis in p53-negative leukemic cells.

Chemotherapeutic drugs that inhibit the synthesis of DNA precursor thymidine triphosphate cause apoptosis, although the mechanism underlying this process remains rather unknown. Here, we describe thymineless death of human myeloid leukemia U937 cells treated with the thymidylate-synthase inhibitor 5'-fluoro- 2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR). This apoptotic process was shown to be independent of p53, reactive oxygen species generation and CD95 activation. Caspases were activated downstream of cytochrome c but upstream of mitochondrial depolarization. Furthermore, FUdR-induced apoptosis required the presence of glucose in the culture medium at a step upstream of the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2004

Disruption of mitochondrial function during apoptosis is mediated by caspase cleavage of the p75 subunit of complex I of the electron transport chain.

Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and cytochrome c release promote caspase activation and execution of apoptosis through cleavage of specific caspase substrates in the cell. Among the first targets of activated caspases are the permeabilized mitochondria themselves, leading to disruption of electron transport, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim), decline in ATP levels, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and loss of mitochondrial structural integrity. Here, we identify NDUFS1, the 75 kDa subunit of respiratory complex I, as a critical caspase substrate in the mitochondria. Cells expressing a noncleavable mutant of p75 sustain DeltaPsim and ATP levels during apoptosis, and ROS production in response to apoptotic stimuli is dampened. While cytochrome c release and DNA fragmentation are unaffected by the noncleavable p75 mutant, mitochondrial morphology of dying cells is maintained, and loss of plasma membrane integrity is delayed. Therefore, caspase cleavage of NDUFS1 is required for several mitochondrial changes associated with apoptosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Inhibition of glucose metabolism sensitizes tumor cells to death receptor-triggered apoptosis through enhancement of death-inducing signaling complex formation and apical procaspase-8 processing.

Tumors display a high rate of glucose uptake and glycolysis. We investigated how inhibition of glucose metabolism could affect death receptor-mediated apoptosis in human tumor cells of diverse origin. We show that both substitution of glucose for pyruvate and treatment with 2-deoxyglucose enhanced apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, CD95 agonistic antibody, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Inhibition of glucose metabolism enhanced killing of myeloid leukemia U937, cervical carcinoma HeLa, and breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells upon death receptor ligation. Caspase activation, mitochondrial depolarization, and cytochrome c release were increased under these conditions. Glucose deprivation-mediated sensitization to apoptosis was prevented in MCF-7 cells overexpressing BCL-2. Interestingly, the human B-lymphoblastoid cell line SKW6.4, a prototype for mitochondria-independent death receptor-induced apoptosis, was also sensitized to anti-CD95 and TRAIL-induced apoptosis under glucose-free conditions. Changes in c-FLIP(L) and cFLIPs levels were observed in some but not all the cell lines studied following glucose deprivation. Glucose deprivation enhanced death receptor-triggered formation of death-inducing signaling complex and early processing of procaspase-8. Altogether, these results suggest that the glycolytic pathway may be an important target for therapeutic intervention to sensitize tumor cells to selectively toxic soluble death ligands or death ligand-expressing cells of the immune system by facilitating the activation of initiator caspase-8.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗