Mitochondrial modifications during rat thymocyte apoptosis: a study at the single cell level. 1994

A Cossarizza, and G Kalashnikova, and E Grassilli, and F Chiappelli, and S Salvioli, and M Capri, and D Barbieri, and L Troiano, and D Monti, and C Franceschi
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Modena, Italy.

Apoptosis is an active type of cell death, occurring under several physiological and pathological conditions. The role of cellular organelles such as mitochondria in this process is still an open question. We recently described a new method to measure mitochondrial membrane potential in intact cells using flow cytometry. Using this method we studied alterations of mitochondrial membrane potential in a classical model of apoptosis, i.e., dexamethasone-treated rat thymocytes. Moreover, apoptosis induced by heat shock was also studied in the same cells. Mitochondria are functionally intact during the early phases of apoptosis, when DNA fragmentation occurs, whereas early alteration in their potential and mass takes place after DNA damage. According to flow-cytometric analysis, the presence of a hypodiploid peak, an index of nuclear DNA loss, predates depolarization of mitochondrial membrane and decrease of mitochondrial mass. Loss of plasma membrane integrity, which indicates cell death and is revealed by the permeability to propidium iodide, eventually follows. All these phenomena are more evident in dexamethasone-treated cells than in heat-shocked cells. Thus, in these types of apoptosis the involvement of mitochondria is apparently not a primary event.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007425 Intracellular Membranes Thin structures that encapsulate subcellular structures or ORGANELLES in EUKARYOTIC CELLS. They include a variety of membranes associated with the CELL NUCLEUS; the MITOCHONDRIA; the GOLGI APPARATUS; the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM; LYSOSOMES; PLASTIDS; and VACUOLES. Membranes, Intracellular,Intracellular Membrane,Membrane, Intracellular
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D002467 Cell Nucleus Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D003907 Dexamethasone An anti-inflammatory 9-fluoro-glucocorticoid. Hexadecadrol,Decaject,Decaject-L.A.,Decameth,Decaspray,Dexasone,Dexpak,Hexadrol,Maxidex,Methylfluorprednisolone,Millicorten,Oradexon,Decaject L.A.
D004249 DNA Damage Injuries to DNA that introduce deviations from its normal, intact structure and which may, if left unrepaired, result in a MUTATION or a block of DNA REPLICATION. These deviations may be caused by physical or chemical agents and occur by natural or unnatural, introduced circumstances. They include the introduction of illegitimate bases during replication or by deamination or other modification of bases; the loss of a base from the DNA backbone leaving an abasic site; single-strand breaks; double strand breaks; and intrastrand (PYRIMIDINE DIMERS) or interstrand crosslinking. Damage can often be repaired (DNA REPAIR). If the damage is extensive, it can induce APOPTOSIS. DNA Injury,DNA Lesion,DNA Lesions,Genotoxic Stress,Stress, Genotoxic,Injury, DNA,DNA Injuries
D004272 DNA, Mitochondrial Double-stranded DNA of MITOCHONDRIA. In eukaryotes, the mitochondrial GENOME is circular and codes for ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, and about 10 proteins. Mitochondrial DNA,mtDNA
D006358 Hot Temperature Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm. Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000833 Animals, Suckling Young, unweaned mammals. Refers to nursing animals whether nourished by their biological mother, foster mother, or bottle fed. Animal, Suckling,Suckling Animal,Suckling Animals

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