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Role for apoptosis-inducing factor in the physiological death of cerebellar neurons

Sugela Blancas1, Julio Moran

  • 1Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Neurochemistry International
|March 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) plays a role in neuronal death during cerebellar development. AIF contributes to caspase-dependent and independent cell death pathways in cerebellar granule neurons.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is involved in caspase-independent cell death.
  • AIF translocates from mitochondria to the nucleus, inducing chromatin condensation and DNA degradation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of AIF in neuronal death under physiological conditions.
  • To examine AIF's involvement in cerebellar granule neuron (CGN) death induced by low potassium (K5).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of AIF cellular localization during cerebellar development.
  • Culture of CGN in low potassium (5 mM) and treatment with caspase inhibitors.
  • Assessment of cell death markers like phosphatidylserine translocation and nuclear condensation.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear AIF localization increased with age during cerebellar development.
  • K5 induced caspase-dependent CGN death with late nuclear AIF translocation.
  • Caspase inhibition only slightly reduced K5-induced CGN death, with increased nuclear AIF.

Conclusions:

  • AIF is implicated in K5-induced apoptotic-like death of CGN.
  • AIF may represent an alternative neuronal death mechanism during cerebellar development.

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