ISSN:
1432-0738
Keywords:
Key words Arsenic compounds
;
Dimethylarsinic acid
;
Apoptosis
;
Glutathione
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Inducibility of apoptosis in cultured human HL-60 cells by arsenic compounds, such as arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonic acid (MAA), and dimethylarisinic acid (DMAA), was investigated, together with the role of glutathione (GSH) in the induction. Among the arsenic compounds DMAA was the most potent in terms of the ability to cause the morphological changes (formation of nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic bodies) characteristic of apoptosis. Furthermore, fragmentation of internucleosomal DNA was also induced by DMAA. Depletion of cell GSH by L-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine, a selective inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, enhanced the cytotoxicity of arsenite, arsenate, and MAA, while such depletion suppressed the cytotoxicity of DMAA. The depletion of GSH also suppressed the morphological changes and the fragmentation of internucleosomal DNA caused by DMAA, both of which are characteristic features of apoptosis. The results suggest that the death of cells caused by DMAA is due to apoptosis and that GSH is involved in the induction of apoptosis by this arsenic compound.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002040050344
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