Overexpression of glutaredoxin 2 attenuates apoptosis by preventing cytochrome c release

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Feb 18;327(3):774-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.067.

Abstract

Human mitochondrial glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) catalyzes glutathione-dependent dithiol reaction mechanisms, reducing protein disulfides, and monothiol reactions, reducing mixed disulfides between proteins and GSH (de-/glutathionylation). Here, we have overexpressed Grx2 in HeLa cells in its mitochondrial form (mGrx2-HeLa) as well as a truncated cytosolic form, lacking the mitochondrial translocation signal (tGrx2-HeLa). The resulting clones were less susceptible to apoptosis induced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) or doxorubicin (Dox). Overexpression of Grx2 inhibited cytochrome c release and caspase activation induced by both agents. In addition, Grx2 prevented 2-DG- and Dox-induced loss of cardiolipin, the phospholipid anchoring cytochrome c to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Overexpression of mGrx2 provided better protection than tGrx2 overexpression, especially after treatment with 2-DG. We propose that Grx2 facilitates the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis upon treatment with apoptotic agents, thereby preventing cardiolipin oxidation and cytochrome c release.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cardiolipins / metabolism
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cytochromes c / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism*
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Deoxyglucose / pharmacology
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glutaredoxins
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction / drug effects
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Cardiolipins
  • GLRX2 protein, human
  • Glutaredoxins
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cytochromes c
  • Deoxyglucose
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Caspases