Related Experiment Videos
Actin cytoskeleton as a target for 2-chloro adenosine: evidence for induction of apoptosis in C2C12 myoblastic cells
S Rufini1, G Rainaldi, M P Abbracchio
1Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, 00133, Italy.
Abstract:
Recent results for various cell types have shown that adenosine is capable of inducing relevant cytophatological alterations which can eventually lead to apoptosis. No data are available regarding the involvement of adenosine in apoptosis of muscle cells. In this work, we studied the effect of the relatively hydrolysis-resistant adenosine analog 2-chloro adenosine on a cultured myogenic cell line, C2C12, which is able to differentiate in vitro, leading to the formation of syncythia, giant multinucleated cells called myotubes. Results indicated that 2-chloro adenosine induces apoptotic cell death in both myoblasts and myotubes; this was preceded by a derangement of actin microfilaments, which represent the main cytoskeletal component and play a pivotal role in the physiology of such cell line. The time-dependency of cytoskeletal alterations suggested a causal relationship between these changes and the induction of apoptosis. These results implicate adenosine as an endogenous regulator of apoptosis in muscle cells and validate this cell model system as a useful tool for studying human muscle cell pathologies.
Insights
Adenosine analogs, like 2-chloro adenosine, trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in muscle cells by disrupting their internal structure. This research highlights adenosine
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Adenosine induces apoptosis in various cell types.
- The role of adenosine in muscle cell apoptosis remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the effect of 2-chloro adenosine on cultured muscle cells (C2C12).
- Determine if adenosine analogs can induce apoptosis in myoblasts and myotubes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a C2C12 myogenic cell line for in vitro differentiation into myotubes.
- Administered 2-chloro adenosine to assess its impact on cell viability and morphology.
- Examined actin microfilament integrity and its correlation with apoptotic events.
Main Results:
- 2-chloro adenosine induced apoptosis in both C2C12 myoblasts and differentiated myotubes.
- Apoptosis was preceded by significant alterations in actin microfilaments.
- Observed a time-dependent relationship between cytoskeletal derangement and apoptosis induction.
Conclusions:
- Adenosine acts as an endogenous regulator of apoptosis in muscle cells.
- Cytoskeletal integrity is crucial for muscle cell survival.
- The C2C12 cell model is valuable for studying muscle cell pathologies involving apoptosis.