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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Apoptosis Induction and Detection in a Primary Culture of Sea Cucumber Intestinal Cells
Published on: January 21, 2020
Role of BK channels in the apoptotic volume decrease in native eel intestinal cells
Maria Giulia Lionetto1, Maria Elena Giordano, Antonio Calisi
1Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy. giulia.lionetto@unisalento.it
Summary
High conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels in eel enterocytes are crucial for Apoptotic Volume Decrease (AVD). These channels also play a significant role in regulating apoptosis progression, offering new therapeutic insights.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Ion Channel Physiology
- Apoptosis Research
Background:
- High conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK channels) are present in eel intestine.
- These channels are activated by hypotonic stress, mediating Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of BK channels in Apoptotic Volume Decrease (AVD) in isolated eel enterocytes.
- To explore the interaction between BK channels and apoptosis progression.
Main Methods:
- Apoptosis detection using confocal microscopy, annexin V, and propidium iodide labeling.
- Cell volume changes monitored by video imaging.
- Intracellular calcium levels ([Ca(2+)](i)) measured using Fura-2.
Main Results:
- Isolated eel enterocytes undergo anoikis, exhibiting an early normotonic AVD before annexin V positivity.
- AVD correlated with an increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)).
- AVD was abolished by high K(+) solution or iberiotoxin, which also inhibited apoptosis progression.
Conclusions:
- BK channels are essential for AVD in eel enterocytes.
- BK channels play a critical role in regulating the progression of apoptosis in these cells.
- This study reveals a novel function for BK channels in apoptosis beyond their known role in RVD.
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