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A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Montague, JW; Bortner, CD; Hughes, FM; Cidlowski, JA
Published in: Steroids
September 1999

Apoptosis is a highly organized mechanism that allows specific cells to die in a controlled manner. Apoptosis can be induced by a variety of agents in a great number of cell types, but cell shrinkage and discrete chromatin cleavage remain common components of apoptosis that is manifested by constitutive enzymes. Despite intensive investigation, the actual event or events that signal this cell death process have not been completely identified. Because of their ability to effect a great number of cellular enzymes simultaneously, we have hypothesized that ions in high concentration (150 mM) in living cells may act as a repressor of apoptotic effectors. In this manuscript we review data that shows that DNA degradation only occurs in the shrunken population of lymphocytes treated with glucocorticoid, shrunken cells loose K+ and become hypotonic, and physiological concentrations on K+ inhibit nuclease activity irrespective of proteins. Together, these data suggest that the reduction in potassium levels appears necessary for the DNA degradation that occurs during apoptosis.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Steroids

DOI

ISSN

0039-128X

Publication Date

September 1999

Volume

64

Issue

9

Start / End Page

563 / 569

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Potassium
  • Humans
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • DNA
  • Apoptosis
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Montague, J. W., Bortner, C. D., Hughes, F. M., & Cidlowski, J. A. (1999). A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis. Steroids, 64(9), 563–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0039-128x(99)00034-3
Montague, J. W., C. D. Bortner, F. M. Hughes, and J. A. Cidlowski. “A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis.Steroids 64, no. 9 (September 1999): 563–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0039-128x(99)00034-3.
Montague JW, Bortner CD, Hughes FM, Cidlowski JA. A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis. Steroids. 1999 Sep;64(9):563–9.
Montague, J. W., et al. “A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis.Steroids, vol. 64, no. 9, Sept. 1999, pp. 563–69. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0039-128x(99)00034-3.
Montague JW, Bortner CD, Hughes FM, Cidlowski JA. A necessary role for reduced intracellular potassium during the DNA degradation phase of apoptosis. Steroids. 1999 Sep;64(9):563–569.
Journal cover image

Published In

Steroids

DOI

ISSN

0039-128X

Publication Date

September 1999

Volume

64

Issue

9

Start / End Page

563 / 569

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Potassium
  • Humans
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • DNA
  • Apoptosis
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences