The sea urchin embryo is a suitable model system that offers an excellent opportunity to investigate different defence strategies activated in stress conditions. We previously showed that cadmium treatment provokes the accumulation of metal in dose- and time-dependent manner in embryonic cells and the activation of defence systems, such as the synthesis of HSPs and/or the initiation of apoptosis. Analysing autophagy, by neutral red, acridine orange and LC3-detection, we demonstrated that Cd-exposed embryos adopt this process as an additional stratagem to safeguard the developmental program. We observed that embryos treated with subletal Cd concentration activate a massive autophagic response after 18h of treatment. In addition, autophagy decreases between 21 and 24h, in the opposite of apoptotic process. In order to investigate a possible temporal relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, we tested apoptosis by immunodetection in situ of cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL assays. We showed that embryos activate a massive apoptosis after 24h of Cd exposure. In addition, a functional relationship between autophagy and apoptosis was estimated evaluating apoptosis in Cd-exposed embryos with inibited autophagy, by treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA). We found that the inhibition of autophagy produced a reduction of apoptotic signals, suggesting that the two phenomena are functionally related. Considering the catabolic role of autophagy, an energetic hypothesis to explain this relationship was evaluated; in this case autophagy could contribute to apoptotic process providing ATP, necessary for the execution of the apoptotic programme. In effect, using methylpyruvate (MP), a substrate for ATP production, in embryos with inhibited autophagy, apoptosis was substantially restored. In this context, autophagy could play a crucial role in stress response of this suitable model system.

Chiarelli, R., Agnello M, Roccheri, M.C. (2012). A possible role of autophagy for the execution of apoptosis in cadmium-exposed sea urchin embryos. In Cell stress: survival and apoptosis (pp.12-12). Palermo.

A possible role of autophagy for the execution of apoptosis in cadmium-exposed sea urchin embryos

CHIARELLI, Roberto;AGNELLO, Maria;ROCCHERI, Maria Carmela
2012-01-01

Abstract

The sea urchin embryo is a suitable model system that offers an excellent opportunity to investigate different defence strategies activated in stress conditions. We previously showed that cadmium treatment provokes the accumulation of metal in dose- and time-dependent manner in embryonic cells and the activation of defence systems, such as the synthesis of HSPs and/or the initiation of apoptosis. Analysing autophagy, by neutral red, acridine orange and LC3-detection, we demonstrated that Cd-exposed embryos adopt this process as an additional stratagem to safeguard the developmental program. We observed that embryos treated with subletal Cd concentration activate a massive autophagic response after 18h of treatment. In addition, autophagy decreases between 21 and 24h, in the opposite of apoptotic process. In order to investigate a possible temporal relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, we tested apoptosis by immunodetection in situ of cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL assays. We showed that embryos activate a massive apoptosis after 24h of Cd exposure. In addition, a functional relationship between autophagy and apoptosis was estimated evaluating apoptosis in Cd-exposed embryos with inibited autophagy, by treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA). We found that the inhibition of autophagy produced a reduction of apoptotic signals, suggesting that the two phenomena are functionally related. Considering the catabolic role of autophagy, an energetic hypothesis to explain this relationship was evaluated; in this case autophagy could contribute to apoptotic process providing ATP, necessary for the execution of the apoptotic programme. In effect, using methylpyruvate (MP), a substrate for ATP production, in embryos with inhibited autophagy, apoptosis was substantially restored. In this context, autophagy could play a crucial role in stress response of this suitable model system.
Settore BIO/06 - Anatomia Comparata E Citologia
19-mag-2012
Cell stress: survival and apoptosis
Palermo
18-19 maggio 2012
XXII
2012
1
Chiarelli, R., Agnello M, Roccheri, M.C. (2012). A possible role of autophagy for the execution of apoptosis in cadmium-exposed sea urchin embryos. In Cell stress: survival and apoptosis (pp.12-12). Palermo.
Proceedings (atti dei congressi)
Chiarelli, R; Agnello M; Roccheri, MC
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/63388
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