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Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor
Published on: April 1, 2011
Superoxide-dependent and -independent mitochondrial signaling during apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells
Dharminder Chauhan1, Guilan Li, Martin Sattler
1Department of Medical Oncology, The Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Superoxide (O2-) radicals have been linked to apoptosis. Here, we show that 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2)-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells is associated with O2- generation, whereas dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis occurs without concurrent increase in O2-. In contrast, both these agents decrease mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsi(m)). Treatment of MM cells with an antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine blocks 2ME2, but not Dex-induced apoptosis as well as release of mitochondrial proteins cytochrome c (cyto c) and Smac. Taken together, these results demonstrate that there are at least two distinct apoptotic pathways: one dependent on O2-, which is induced by 2ME2 and is associated with release of cyto c and Smac; and the other an independent of O2-, which is triggered by Dex and associated with Smac release.
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