Cytoskeletal disruption induces T cell apoptosis by a caspase-3 mediated mechanism

Hamza Suria, Luan A. Chau, Ella Negrou, David J. Kelvin, Joaquín Madrenas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

T cell apoptosis can be triggered by different mechanisms that lead to distinctive features such as cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, phosphatidylserine externalization, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Prevailing models for the induction of apoptosis place the cytoskeleton as a distal target of the death effector molecules ('executioners'). However, the cytoskeleton can also play a role in the induction of apoptosis as suggested by the finding that cytoskeletal disruption can induce apoptosis. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Here, we report that T cell apoptosis by cytoskeletal disruption involves a protein synthesis-independent mechanism leading to up-regulation of caspase-3 protease activity and increased accessibility of active caspase-3 to its substrate. Thus, cytoskeleton integrity may regulate the subcellular compartmentalization of death effector molecules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2697-2707
Number of pages11
JournalLife Sciences
Volume65
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 12 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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