Activation of CPP32-like protease in tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis is dependent on mitochondrial function

Mitochondria have been implicated in apoptosis, however, the precise mechanisms whereby mitochondria exert their effect are not clear. To gain further insights, we generated a panel of cells from ML-1a cells that were rendered respiration deficient by ethidium bromide treatment. Two respiration-deficient clones were subsequently reconstituted by fusion with platelets. Respiration-deficient clones were resistant to TNF-induced apoptosis, whereas ML-1a and reconstituted clones were sensitive. In contrast, inhibition of proliferation and induction of differentiation by TNF were still observed in respiration deficient clones, suggesting a selective requirement of respiration in TNF-induced apoptosis. Furthermore the apoptosis machinery is not completely altered in respiration-deficient cells because they underwent apoptosis after staurosporine treatment. Next, we showed that apoptosis induced by TNF and staurosporine were blocked by z-DEVD-CH2F, an inhibitor of CPP32-like cysteine protease, suggesting the involvement of CPP32-like protease in both apoptosis signaling pathways. Interestingly, TNF activated CPP32-like protease in the parental and reconstituted clones but not in respiration-deficient clones, and staurosporine in all clones. Thus, the apoptosis signaling block in respiration-deficient clones is located at a step before CPP32-like protease activation, which can be bypassed by staurosporine.