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Plasma membrane signaling induced by ionizing radiation

Isabelle Corre1, Colin Niaudet, Francois Paris

  • 1Inserm UMR U892, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie Nantes-Angers, Institut de Recherche Thérapeutique, 8 Quai Moncousu, F-44007 Nantes cedex 1, France.

Mutation Research
|February 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ionizing radiation (IR) triggers cell signaling at the plasma membrane, not just DNA damage. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) translocation and ceramide formation are key radiation-induced membrane events.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Radiation Biology
  • Molecular Signaling

Background:

  • Ionizing radiation (IR) traditionally targets DNA, but membrane-initiated signals are crucial for cellular responses.
  • The precise mechanisms of IR-induced plasma membrane events are less understood than direct DNA damage.
  • Reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and protein/lipid relocalization are proposed signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key molecular mechanisms at the plasma membrane following IR exposure.
  • To highlight the molecular actors involved in radiation-induced membrane signaling.
  • To provide a perspective on non-DNA-centric radiation effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular mechanisms.
  • Analysis of protein and lipid dynamics post-IR.
  • Focus on sphingomyelinase (ASMase) pathway and ceramide generation.

Main Results:

  • IR induces molecular events at the plasma membrane, including ROS/RNS generation and lipid/protein relocalization.
  • Translocation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) to the cell membrane triggers sphingomyelin hydrolysis and ceramide formation.
  • Ceramide accumulation promotes lipid microdomain formation and clustering of signaling receptors.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma membrane events are critical in the cellular response to IR.
  • ASMase-mediated ceramide generation is a significant IR-induced signaling mechanism.
  • Understanding membrane-initiated signaling offers new perspectives on IR effects.

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