Changes of mitochondria and relocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor during apoptosis

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Aug:1171:12-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04707.x.

Abstract

During apoptosis, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space to the cytosol and to the nucleus. We analyzed AIF in HeLa cells driven to apoptosis by either etoposide or actinomycin D, and we observed changes in the structure and function of mitochondria as well as the translocation of cytochrome c and AIF from mitochondria to the nucleus in early apoptosis. In cells with fragmented chromatin (i.e., in late apoptosis), the immunolabeling for AIF appeared to be distinct from chromatin, being mainly confined to mitochondria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / genetics
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism
  • DNA Fragmentation / drug effects
  • Dactinomycin / pharmacology
  • Etoposide / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Apoptosis Inducing Factor
  • Chromatin
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Dactinomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Cytochromes c