Dose-dependent zinc inhibition of DNA ladder in apoptotic HeLa cells regulates the activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and does not protect from death induced by VP-16

Fulvio Guano, Rosa Bernardi, Claudia Negri, Maddalena Donzelli, Ennio Prosperi, Giulia Astaldi Ricotti, A. Ivana Scovassi

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

Zinc ions exert an inhibitory effect on Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent endonuclease which is supposed to be responsible for the fragmentation of DNA during apoptosis. In the experimental system we used, that is HeLa cells treated with VP-16, the protection from internucleosomal DNA degradation is modulated by Zn concentration and appears to be dependent on the time after treatment. This effect does not prevent cell death or occurrence of apoptotic parameters, suggesting that DNA ladder appearance is not a crucial event in apoptosis. The activation of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase following the administration of VP-16, is not observed in cells in which DNA fragmentation has been abolished by zinc , supporting the hypothesis that this event is regulated by the appearance of small-sized DNA fragments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)101-107
Number of pages7
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume1
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1994

Keywords

  • Activity gel
  • Apoplosis
  • Cytofluorimetric analysis
  • DNA fragmentation
  • Etoposide
  • Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase
  • Zinc

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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