Apoptosis of lymphoma cells is abolished due to blockade of cytochrome c release despite Nur77 mitochondrial targeting

Apoptosis. 2007 Oct;12(10):1873-8. doi: 10.1007/s10495-007-0107-3. Epub 2007 Aug 16.

Abstract

Nur77 is reported to undergo translocation to mitochondria in response to apoptotic signaling in a variety of cancer cell lines. It was shown that on the mitochondrial membrane, Nur77 interacts with Bcl-2, leading to the conversion of this protein from a protector to a killer with subsequent release of cytochrome c to the cytosol. Here it is shown that in thymic lymphoma cells resistant to calcium-mediated apoptosis, cytochrome c release is abolished despite of Nur77 mitochondrial targeting. However, cytochrome c release and apoptosis can be restored by treatment with FK506. Hence, the molecular target regulation of the sensitivity of lymphoma cells to calcium signaling is associated with cytochrome c release and is FK506 sensitive. These results provide new insight into the role of FK506-sensitive factors as a critical link between calcium signaling and resistance of lymphoma cells to death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism*
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / metabolism*
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Steroid / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Tacrolimus / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Nr4a1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Transcription Factors
  • Cytochromes c
  • Tacrolimus