New concepts in radiation‐induced apoptosis: ‘premitotic apoptosis’ and ‘postmitotic apoptosis’

Abstract

Formerly, the mechanisms responsible for the killing of cells by ionizing radiation were regarded as being divided into two distinct forms, interphase death and reproductive death. Since they were defined based on the classical radiobiological concepts using a clonogenic cell survival assay, biochemical and molecular biological mechanisms involved in the induction of radiation-induced cell death were not fully understood in relation to the modes of cell death. Recent multidisciplinary approaches to cell death mechanism have revealed that radiation-induced cell death is divided into several distinct pathways by the time course and cell-cycle position, and that apoptotic cell death plays a key role in almost every mode of cell death. This review discusses the mechanisms of radiation-induced apoptosis in relation to cellcycle progression and highlights a new concept of the mode of cell death: 'premitotic apoptosis' and 'postmitotic apoptosis'. The former is a rapid apoptotic cell death associated with a prompt activation of caspase-3, a key enzyme of intracellular signaling of apoptosis. A rapid execution of cell killing in premitotic apoptosis is presumably due to the prompt activation of a set of pre-existed molecules following DNA damages. In contrast, the latter is a delayed apoptotic cell death after cell division, and unlike premitotic apoptosis, it neither requires a rapid activation of caspase-3 nor is inhibited by a specific inhibitor, Ac-DEVD-CHO. A downregulation of anti-apoptotic genes such as MAPK and Bcl-2 may play a key role in this mode of cell death. Characterization of these two types of apoptotic cell death regarding the cell cycle regulation and intracellular signaling will greatly help to understand the mechanisms of radiation-induced apoptosis.

2-Gy whole-body irradiation significantly alters the balance of CD4+CD25−T effector cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T regulatory cells in mice

“…40,41 Evidence has shown that various subsets of immune cells have variable sensitivities to ionizing irradiation. 42,43 For example, B cells are sensitive to irradiation, while the T and natural killer cells appear resistant to irradiation-induced cell death, such that these cells are observed at a higher level in the irradiated mice than control mice.…”

Dual function of membrane-bound heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), Bag-4, and Hsp40: protection against radiation-induced effects and target structure for natural killer cells

“…[21][22][23] Since g-irradiation is frequently used in cancer therapy, 24,25 it is important to understand the molecular nature of radiation-induced effects on resistance of tumor cells to apoptosis. 26,27 Therefore, we investigated radiation-induced effects in three independent carcinoma cell systems that differ with respect to their capacity to express Hsp70 on their cell surface. Concomitantly, the effects of Bag-4 as an Hsp70-interacting, antiapoptotic molecule were investigated.…”

Radiosensitization of Squamous Cell Carcinoma by the Alkylphospholipid Perifosine in Cell Culture and Xenografts

“…A more than additive apoptotic response was observed when radiation was combined with low concentrations of perifosine. The slow kinetics of apoptosis induction in these cells, associated with late (>24 hours) caspase-3 activation, are consistent with a post-mitotic or delayed type of apoptosis (34).…”