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Transplasma membrane redox stimulates HeLa cell growth
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|December 14, 1984
Summary
Impermeable oxidants, like ferricyanide, stimulate HeLa cell growth by interacting with the transplasma membrane electron transport system. This system
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell growth regulation typically requires external growth factors.
- The transplasma membrane electron transport system (TMETS) role in cell proliferation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TMETS in stimulating HeLa cell growth.
- To determine the relationship between oxidant redox potential and growth stimulation.
Main Methods:
- HeLa cell culture in the absence of serum.
- Treatment with various impermeable oxidants with differing redox potentials.
- Measurement of cell growth and TMETS activity.
- Assessment of insulin's effect on TMETS and cell growth.
Main Results:
- Impermeable ferricyanide and other oxidants (redox potential down to -125 mV) stimulated HeLa cell growth without serum.
- Oxidants below -175 mV were not reduced by TMETS and did not stimulate growth.
- Insulin enhanced both TMETS activity and cell growth, with ferricyanide further increasing growth in its presence.
- Antitumor drugs inhibiting cell growth also inhibited TMETS.
- Transplasma membrane electron transport was associated with proton release.
Conclusions:
- TMETS plays a crucial role in regulating HeLa cell proliferation.
- The redox potential of oxidants is critical for TMETS-mediated growth stimulation.
- TMETS activity is linked to insulin signaling and can be targeted by antitumor drugs.