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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Viability Assays for Cells in Culture
Published on: January 20, 2014
Characteristics of palytoxin-induced cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells
I Valverde1, J Lago, A Reboreda
1Microbiology and Biotoxins Area, ANFACO-CECOPESCA, Campus Univ de Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
Abstract:
Cation fluxes appear to play a key role in palytoxin-induced signal. There are other cellular targets that have not been described as well as the biochemical signaling cascades that transmit palytoxin-stimulated signals remain to be clarified. Since modifications of cations, mainly calcium, are generally associated to cell death or apoptosis, we wanted to further evaluate the effect of palytoxin on cell death. Then, in vitro cytotoxic effects of palytoxin were characterized on human neuroblastoma cells. By using several techniques, we studied markers of cell death and apoptosis, such as cell detachment, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspases, DNA damage, LDH leakage, propidium iodide uptake, F-actin depolymerization and inhibition of cellular proliferation. Results show that palytoxin triggers a series of toxic responses; it inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell rounding, detachment from the substratum and F-actin disruption. Among the apoptotic markers studied we only detected fall in mitochondrial membrane potential. Neither caspases activation nor chromatin condensation or DNA fragmentation were observed in palytoxin-treated cells.
Insights
Palytoxin disrupts human neuroblastoma cells by inhibiting proliferation and damaging cell structure. While it lowers mitochondrial potential, palytoxin does not trigger apoptosis markers like caspases or DNA fragmentation.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cation fluxes are implicated in palytoxin signaling.
- Cellular targets and signaling pathways of palytoxin require further elucidation.
- Cation alterations, particularly calcium, are linked to cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of palytoxin on human neuroblastoma cells.
- To evaluate palytoxin's impact on cell death and apoptosis markers.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cell detachment, mitochondrial membrane potential, caspases, DNA damage, LDH leakage, propidium iodide uptake, F-actin depolymerization, and proliferation inhibition.
- Utilized multiple techniques to characterize palytoxin's cytotoxic responses.
Main Results:
- Palytoxin inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell rounding and detachment, and disrupted F-actin.
- A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential was observed.
- No significant activation of caspases, chromatin condensation, or DNA fragmentation was detected.
Conclusions:
- Palytoxin exhibits significant cytotoxic effects on human neuroblastoma cells.
- The toxin disrupts cellular integrity and proliferation but does not induce classical apoptosis.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event in palytoxin-induced cell damage.
