Apoptotic and non-apoptotic modes of programmed cell death in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells

Cell Biol Int. 2000;24(4):253-60. doi: 10.1006/cbir.2000.0495.

Abstract

Apoptosis is a specific mode of programmed cell death (PCD), recognized by characteristic morphological and molecular changes. Here we present evidence for a non-apoptotic type of PCD in human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. We used TNF-alpha and tyrphostin AG213 to induce apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death respectively in vitro. Microscopic and immunohistochemical studies, together with DNA analysis and flow cytometric analysis of p53 and bcl-2 oncogene expression, revealed some novel characteristics of non-apoptotic cell death. We show here for the first time some of the biochemical features of an experimentally induced non-apoptotic PCD and emphasize the distinct biochemical events leading to apoptotic and non-apoptotic PCD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Comet Assay
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Microvilli / ultrastructure
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis
  • Pseudopodia / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / biosynthesis
  • Tyrphostins / pharmacology
  • Vacuoles / ultrastructure

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Tyrphostins
  • tyrphostin 47