Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Knockdown of FAM83A to Verify Its Role in Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Cisplatin Sensitivity
04:20

Knockdown of FAM83A to Verify Its Role in Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Cisplatin Sensitivity

Published on: February 9, 2024

Involvement of apoptosis in mediating mitomycin C-induced teratogenesis in vitro

Gyanendra Singh1, Neeraj Sinha

  • 1Division of Toxicology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India. gyancdri@gmail.com

Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods
|March 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Mitomycin C (MMC) can cause birth defects. This study shows MMC increases apoptosis, a cell death process, in developing rat embryos, suggesting it may mediate these congenital malformations.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mitomycin C (MMC) is a widely used drug with known teratogenic effects in animal models.
  • Congenital malformations and fetal death are significant concerns associated with MMC exposure.
  • The precise mechanisms underlying MMC-induced teratogenesis, particularly the role of apoptosis, require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Mitomycin C on embryonic development during the critical organogenesis period.
  • To determine the role of apoptosis in mediating Mitomycin C-induced congenital malformations in vitro.
  • To establish a dose-dependent relationship between MMC exposure, apoptosis, and teratogenic outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Post-implantation rat embryos (day 11) were cultured in vitro with varying concentrations of Mitomycin C (1, 10, 100 microg/ml).
  • Embryonic growth and development were assessed and compared to control groups.
  • Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry (cell cycle, annexin V binding) and DNA fragmentation assays, including 3'-OH labeling.

Main Results:

  • Mitomycin C exposure significantly inhibited embryonic growth and development in a dose-dependent manner.
  • A concentration of 1 microg/ml MMC did not produce significant adverse effects on embryonic parameters.
  • Increased apoptosis was observed in embryonic tissues following MMC exposure, correlating with teratogenic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Mitomycin C exerts dose-dependent inhibitory effects on embryonic growth and development in vitro.
  • Apoptosis plays a significant role in mediating Mitomycin C-induced teratogenesis.
  • These findings highlight the potential risks of Mitomycin C during pregnancy and underscore the involvement of programmed cell death in drug-induced developmental toxicity.

More Related Videos

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
In vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...