Bruno Dallaporta

The apoptosis-necrosis paradox. Apoptogenic proteases activated after mitochondrial permeability transition determine the mode of cell death

Mitochondrial alterations including permeability transition (PT) constitute critical events of the apoptotic cascade and are under the control of Bcl-2 related gene products. Here we show that induction of PT is sufficient to activate CPP32-like proteases with DEVDase activity and the associated cleavage of the nuclear DEVDase substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Thus, direct intervention on mitochondria using a ligand of the mitochondrial benzodiazepin receptor or a protonophore causes DEVDase activation. In addition, the DEVDase activation triggered by conventional apoptosis inducers (glucocorticoids or topoisomerase inhibitors) is prevented by inhibitors of PT. The protease inhibitor N-benzyloxycabonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD.fmk) completely prevents the activation of DEVDase and PARP cleavage, as well as the manifestation of nuclear apoptosis (chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, hypoploidy). In addition, Z-VAD.fmk delays the manifestation of apoptosis-associated changes in cellular redox potentials (hypergeneration of superoxide anion, oxidation of compounds of the inner mitochondrial membrane, depletion of non-oxidized glutathione), as well as the exposure of phosphatidylserine residues in the outer plasma membrane leaflet. Although Z-VAD.fmk retards cytolysis, it is incapable of preventing disruption of the plasma membrane during protracted cell culture (12 – 24 h), even in conditions in which it completely blocks nuclear apoptosis (chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation). Electron microscopic analysis confirms that cells treated with PT inducers alone undergo apoptosis, whereas cells kept in identical conditions in the presence of Z-VAD.fmk die from necrosis. These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that PT would be a rate limiting step in both the apoptotic and the necrotic modes of cell death. In contrast, it would be the availability of apoptogenic proteases that would determine the choice between the two death modalities.

Mitochondrial Implication in Accidental and Programmed Cell Death: Apoptosis and Necrosis

Both physiological cell death (apoptosis) and at least some cases of accidental cell death (necrosis) involve a two-step-process. At a first level, numerous physiological or pathological stimuli can trigger mitochondrial permeability transition which constitutes a rate-limiting event and initiates the common phase of the death process. Mitochondrial permeability transition (FT) involves the formation of proteaceous, regulated pores, probably by apposition of inner and outer mitochondrial membrane proteins which cooperate to form the mitochondrial PT pore complex. Inhibition of PT by pharmacological intervention on mitochondrial structures or mitochondrial expression of the apoptosis-inhibitory oncoprotein Bcl-2 thus can prevent cell death. At a second level, the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction (collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, uncoupling of the respiratory chain, hyperproduction of superoxide anions, disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis, outflow of matrix calcium and glutathione, and release of soluble intermembrane proteins) can entail a bioenergetic catastrophe culminating in the disruption of plasma membrane integrity (necrosis) and/or the activation and action of apoptogenic proteases with secondary endonuclease activation and consequent oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation (apoptosis). The acquisition of the biochemical and ultrastructural features of apoptosis critically relies on the liberation of apoptogenic proteases or protease activators from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. This scenario applies to very different models of cell death. The notion that mitochondrial events control cell death has major implications for the development of death-inhibitory drugs.

Nitric oxide induces apoptosis via triggering mitochondrial permeability transition

Nitric oxide (NO) induces apoptosis in thymocytes, peripheral T cells, myeloid cells and neurons. Here we show that NO is highly efficient in inducing mitochondrial permeability transition, thereby causing the liberation of apoptogenic factors from mitochondria which can induce nuclear apoptosis (DNA condensation and DNA fragmentation) in isolated nuclei in vitro. In intact thymocytes, NO triggers disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, followed by hypergeneration of reactive oxygen species, exposure of phosphatidyl serine on the outer plasma membrane leaflet, and nuclear apoptosis. Inhibitors of mitochondrial permeability transition such as bongkrekic acid and a cyclophilin D‐binding cyclosporin A derivative, N‐methyl‐Val‐4‐cyclosporin A, prevent the mitochondrial as well as all post‐mitochondrial signs of apoptosis induced by NO including nuclear DNA fragmentation and exposure of phosphatidylserine residues on the cell surface. These findings indicate that NO can cause apoptosis via triggering of permeability transition.

Proteasome activation as a critical event of thymocyte apoptosis.

Caspase activation may occur in a direct fashion as a result of CD95 death receptor crosslinking (exogenous pathway) or may be triggered indirectly, via a Bcl-2 inhibitable mitochondrial permeabilization event (endogenous pathway). Thymocyte apoptosis is generally accompanied by proteasome activation. If death is induced by DNA damage, inactivation of p53, overexpression of a Bcl-2 transgene, inhibition of protein synthesis, and antioxidants (N-acetylcyteine, catalase) prevent proteasome activation. Glucocorticoid-induced proteasome activation follows a similar pattern of inhibition except for p53. Caspase inhibition fails to affect proteasome activation induced by topoisomerase inhibition or glucocorticoid receptor ligation. In contrast, caspase activation (but not p53 knockout or Bcl-2 overexpression) does interfere with proteasome activation induced by CD95. Specific inhibition of proteasomes with lactacystin or MG123 blocks caspase activation at a pre-mitochondrial level if thymocyte apoptosis is induced by DNA damage or glucocorticoids. In strict contrast, proteasome inhibition has no inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial and nuclear phases of apoptosis induced via CD95. Thus, proteasome activation is a critical event of thymocyte apoptosis stimulated via the endogenous pathway yet dispensable for CD95-triggered death. Cell Death and Differentiation (2000) 7, 368–373