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Apoptin induces apoptosis in human transformed and malignant cells but not in normal cells

A A Danen-Van Oorschot1, D F Fischer, J M Grimbergen

  • 1Laboratory for Molecular Carcinogenesis, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9503, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 27, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Chicken anemia virus protein apoptin selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells, not normal cells. Its nuclear localization in cancer cells suggests potential as a targeted cancer therapy, even for tumors resistant to conventional treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Chicken anemia virus (CAV) protein apoptin induces apoptosis in various human tumor cells.
  • Apoptin-induced apoptosis is independent of p53 and Bcl-2 pathways.
  • Normal cells are generally resistant to apoptin-induced cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential effects of apoptin on normal versus transformed/malignant human cells.
  • To explore the role of apoptin localization in its apoptotic activity.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of apoptin for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assays to test apoptin's effect on various normal and transformed human cell types.
  • Long-term expression studies in normal human fibroblasts.
  • Subcellular localization studies of apoptin in different cell types using microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Apoptin selectively induced apoptosis in transformed and malignant cells but not in normal lymphoid, dermal, epidermal, endothelial, or smooth-muscle cells.
  • Normal human fibroblasts expressing apoptin long-term showed no toxicity or transforming activity.
  • Apoptin localized predominantly in the cytoplasm of normal cells and in the nucleus of transformed/malignant cells.

Conclusions:

  • Apoptin's selective induction of apoptosis in tumor cells, coupled with its nuclear localization in these cells, highlights its potential as a targeted cancer therapeutic.
  • Apoptin may be effective against a broad range of tumors, including those resistant to p53-dependent or Bcl-2-mediated apoptosis.

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