Sodium butyrate induces apoptosis in MSN neuroblastoma cells in a calcium independent pathway

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R Rozental1, R Faharani, Y Yu

  • 1Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.

Neurochemical Research
|January 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Sodium butyrate (NaBt) induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. This cell death pathway is independent of calcium levels, serum, or cAMP signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Sodium butyrate (NaBt) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor with known apoptotic effects on cancer cells.
  • The precise mechanism underlying NaBt-induced apoptosis remains poorly understood.
  • Elevated intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]) has been hypothesized as a key mediator, but supporting evidence is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of sodium butyrate (NaBt)-induced apoptosis in MSN neuroblastoma cells.
  • To determine the role of intracellular calcium levels, serum, and cAMP in NaBt-mediated apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in NaBt-induced cell death.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of MSN neuroblastoma cells with varying concentrations of sodium butyrate (NaBt).
  • Assessment of apoptosis induction in the presence and absence of serum.
  • Monitoring of intracellular and extracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]) levels.
  • Evaluation of the impact of cAMP modulation on NaBt-induced apoptosis.
  • Analysis of the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and histone acetylation.

Main Results:

  • NaBt induced massive apoptosis in MSN neuroblastoma cells, irrespective of external or internal calcium levels.
  • The apoptotic effect of NaBt was time- and dose-dependent, with an LD50 of 1 mM.
  • Serum and cAMP did not prevent the apoptotic effect of NaBt.
  • Data excluded a significant role for Ca(2+) flux, intracellular [Ca(2+)], cAMP levels, PKC, or histone acetylation in NaBt-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • NaBt-induced apoptosis in MSN neuroblastoma cells occurs through a mechanism independent of calcium signaling, serum, or cAMP.
  • This study identifies a novel apoptotic pathway for NaBt in neuroblastoma cells.
  • Further research is warranted to fully characterize the molecular players in this calcium- and cAMP-independent apoptotic pathway.

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