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Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hughes, FM; Bortner, CD; Purdy, GD; Cidlowski, JA
Published in: J Biol Chem
November 28, 1997

Little is known about the mechanisms of suppression of apoptosis. We have addressed the novel possibility that the level of intracellular K+ regulates the apoptotic process by controlling the activity of death enzymes. We show that K+, at normal intracellular levels, inhibits both apoptotic DNA fragmentation and caspase-3(CPP32)-like protease activation, suggesting that intracellular K+ loss must occur early during apoptosis. Direct measurement of K+ by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry and flow cytometry indicates a major decrease in intracellular K+ concentration in the apoptotic cell. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that caspase and nuclease activity were restricted to the subpopulation of cells with reduced K+. Disruption of the natural K+ electrochemical gradient suppressed the activity of both caspase and nuclease independent of the mode of activation of the apoptotic inducing agent, demonstrating that a decrease in intracellular K+ concentration is a necessary, early event in programmed cell death.

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Published In

J Biol Chem

DOI

ISSN

0021-9258

Publication Date

November 28, 1997

Volume

272

Issue

48

Start / End Page

30567 / 30576

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Thymus Gland
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Potassium
  • Nucleosomes
  • Male
  • Lymphocytes
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Enzyme Precursors
  • Enzyme Activation
 

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Hughes, F. M., Bortner, C. D., Purdy, G. D., & Cidlowski, J. A. (1997). Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes. J Biol Chem, 272(48), 30567–30576. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.272.48.30567
Hughes, F. M., C. D. Bortner, G. D. Purdy, and J. A. Cidlowski. “Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes.J Biol Chem 272, no. 48 (November 28, 1997): 30567–76. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.272.48.30567.
Hughes FM, Bortner CD, Purdy GD, Cidlowski JA. Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes. J Biol Chem. 1997 Nov 28;272(48):30567–76.
Hughes, F. M., et al. “Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes.J Biol Chem, vol. 272, no. 48, Nov. 1997, pp. 30567–76. Pubmed, doi:10.1074/jbc.272.48.30567.
Hughes FM, Bortner CD, Purdy GD, Cidlowski JA. Intracellular K+ suppresses the activation of apoptosis in lymphocytes. J Biol Chem. 1997 Nov 28;272(48):30567–30576.

Published In

J Biol Chem

DOI

ISSN

0021-9258

Publication Date

November 28, 1997

Volume

272

Issue

48

Start / End Page

30567 / 30576

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Thymus Gland
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats
  • Potassium
  • Nucleosomes
  • Male
  • Lymphocytes
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Enzyme Precursors
  • Enzyme Activation