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Alteration of ceramide Synthase 6/C16-ceramide induces activating transcription factor 6-mediated ER-stress and apoptosis via perturbation of cellular Ca+2 and ER/Golgi membrane network.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22013072     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Mechanisms that regulate ER-stress induced apoptosis in cancer cells remain enigmatic. Recent data suggest that ceramide synthase1-6 (CerS1-6)-generated ceramides, containing different fatty acid chain lengths, might exhibit distinct and opposing functions, such as apoptosis versus survival in a context-dependent manner. Here, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the activation of one of the major ER-stress response proteins, ATF-6, and subsequent apoptosis by alterations of CerS6/C16-ceramide. Induction of wild-type (wt), but not the catalytically inactive mutant, CerS6 increased tumor growth in SCID mice, whereas siRNA-mediated knock-down of CerS6 induced ATF-6 activation and apoptosis in multiple human cancer cells. Down-regulation of CerS6/C16-ceramide, and not its further metabolism to glucosylceramide, or sphingomyelin, activated ATF-6 upon treatment with ER-stress inducers tunicamycin or SAHA. Induction of wt-CerS6 expression, but not its mutant, or ectopic expression of the dominant-negative mutant form of ATF-6, protected cells from apoptosis in response to CerS6 knock-down, and tunicamycin or SAHA treatment. Mechanistically, ATF-6 activation was regulated by a concerted two-step process, involving the release of Ca+2 from the ER stores ([Ca+2]ER), which resulted in the fragmentation of Golgi membranes in response to CerS6/C16-ceramide alteration. This resulted in the accumulation of pro-ATF-6 in the disrupted ER/Golgi membrane network, where pro-ATF6 is activated. Accordingly, ectopic expression of a Ca+2 chelator calbindin prevented the Golgi fragmentation, ATF-6 activation, and apoptosis in response to CerS6/C16-ceramide down-regulation. Overall, these data suggest a novel mechanism of how CerS6/C16-ceramide alteration activates ATF6 and induces ER-stress-mediated apoptosis in squamous cell carcinomas.
Authors:
Can E Senkal; Suriyan Ponnusamy; Yefim Manevich; Marisa Meyers-Needham; Sahar A Saddoughi; Archana Mukhopadyay; Paul Dent; Jacek Bielawski; Besim Ogretmen
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-10-19
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of biological chemistry     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1083-351X     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-10-20     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985121R     Medline TA:  J Biol Chem     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Medical University of South Carolina, United States;
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