Spermine triggers the activation of caspase-3 in a cell-free model of apoptosis
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- 作者：Stefanelli ; Claudio ; Bonavita ; Francesca ; Stanic’ ; Ivana ; Pignatti ; Carla ; Flamigni ; Flavio ; et. al.
- 关键词：Apoptosis ; Caspase ; Cytochrome c ; Polyamine ; Spermine ; Ac-DEVD-AMC ; acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-amido-4-methylcoumarin
- 刊名：FEBS Letters
- 出版年：1999
- 出版时间：May 21, 1999
- 年：1999
- 卷：451
- 期：2
- 页码：95-98
- 全文大小：180 K
文摘
Polyamines are ubiquitous organic cations required for cell proliferation. However, some evidence suggested that their excessive accumulation can induce apoptosis. We show here that, in a post-nuclear extract from U937 cells, the addition of spermine triggers the death program, represented by cytochrome c exit from mitochondria, the dATP-dependent processing of pro-caspase-3 and the onset of caspase activity. Spermine is more effective than spermidine, whereas putrescine has no effect. Polyamine acetylation abolishes their pro-apoptotic power. These data demonstrate a direct mechanism responsible for polyamine toxicity and also suggest that an excessive elevation of free polyamines could be involved in the transduction of a death signal.