DNA-damaging reagents induce apoptosis through reactive oxygen species-dependent Fas aggregation

Oncogene. 2003 Nov 6;22(50):8168-77. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206979.

Abstract

DNA-damaging reagents may kill tumor cells through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cytotoxic reagents may also induce apoptosis of cancer cells in Fas-FADD-dependent manners. In this study, we explored the possible link between these two apparently distinct pathways in T leukemia cell Jurkat. Our results demonstrated that gamma-irradiation, similar to cisplatin, induced apoptosis by triggering Fas aggregation and activating FADD-caspase-8 apoptotic cascade. The absence of caspase-8 or Fas greatly reduced the sensitivity to apoptosis mediated by DNA-damaging agents. In addition, apoptosis induced by cisplatin and gamma-irradiation, but not by Fas, was inhibited by ROS scavengers, including N-acetyl cysteine, MnTBAP, and C60. Importantly, these ROS scavengers effectively prevented the clustering of Fas receptor induced by cisplatin and gamma-irradiation. Our results suggest that cisplatin and gamma-irradiation promote ROS production, which in turn contributes to Fas receptor aggregation and cell death. The novel coupling between ROS and Fas clustering likely plays a significant role in apoptosis triggered by DNA-damaging reagents in Fas-expressing leukemia cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • DNA Damage / radiation effects*
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • fas Receptor / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • FADD protein, human
  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • fas Receptor
  • CASP8 protein, human
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases
  • Cisplatin