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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor
Published on: April 1, 2011
Cytosolic and endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ concentrations determine the extent and the morphological type of apoptosis,
Claudia Cerella1, Maria D'Alessio, Milena De Nicola
1Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita di Roma Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy. sanclacer@libero.it
Abstract:
During apoptosis, an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) accompanies the depletion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The actual roles of each of the two events in apoptosis are difficult to understand. In this work, we have modulated the basal [Ca(2+)](c) and the thapsigargin (THG)-dependent reticular flux (i.e., by chelating extracellular Ca(2+) or by modulating intracellular Ca(2+) by 3-aminobenzamide [3-ABA]). We have found that these treatments alter these Ca(2+) parameters in a differential way and, accordingly, affect apoptosis differentially. We have found that the increase in [Ca(2+)](c) is related to the extent of apoptosis, whereas the ER depletion affects the apoptotic nuclear morphology by shifting it towards the cleavage mode.
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