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Published on: January 30, 2018
[Increased plasma membrane permeability for Ca2+ in radiation-induced thymocyte apoptosis]
Radiatsionnaia Biologiia, Radioecologiia
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Gamma irradiation increases calcium (Ca2+) influx and disrupts cell membrane permeability in rat thymocytes, preceding DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. This suggests impaired calcium homeostasis contributes to cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Radiation Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a critical biological process.
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) play a crucial role in regulating cellular functions, including apoptosis.
- Understanding the role of Ca2+ permeability changes in radiation-induced apoptosis is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in Ca2+ permeability and DNA fragmentation in rat thymocytes following gamma irradiation.
- To determine the temporal relationship between Ca2+ permeability alterations and DNA degradation during apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of 45Ca influx rate to assess Ca2+ permeability in irradiated rat thymocytes.
- Quantification of DNA fragmentation as an indicator of apoptosis.
- Gamma irradiation of thymocytes with a dose of 5 Gy.
Main Results:
- Initial Ca2+ influx rate (Ca2+ exchange) nearly doubled within 30-90 minutes post-irradiation.
- Passive Ca2+ influx rate increased 1.5 to 2.0 times between 90-180 minutes after irradiation.
- Significant DNA fragmentation was observed 90-120 minutes post-irradiation, reaching 50% by 3 hours.
Conclusions:
- Alterations in membrane Ca2+ permeability precede the initiation of DNA degradation in irradiated thymocytes.
- Increased passive Ca2+ permeability and disrupted intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis are implicated in thymocyte apoptosis.
- The degree of membrane permeability disturbance correlates with the progression of thymocyte apoptosis.
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