CACNA2D2-mediated apoptosis in NSCLC cells is associated with alterations of the intracellular calcium signaling and disruption of mitochondria membrane integrity

Oncogene. 2003 Jan 30;22(4):615-26. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206134.

Abstract

The CACNA2D2 gene, a new subunit of the Ca(2+)-channel complex, was identified in the homozygous deletion region of chromosome 3p21.3 in human lung and breast cancers. Expression deficiency of the CACNA2D2 in cancer cells suggests a possible link of it to Ca(2+) signaling in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and other cancers. We investigated the effects of overexpression of CACNA2D2 on intracellular Ca(2+) contents, mitochondria homeostasis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis by adenoviral vector-mediated wild-type CACNA2D2 gene transfer in 3p21.3-deficient nonsmall cell lung cancer cell lines. Exogenous expression of CACNA2D2 significantly inhibited tumor cell growth compared with the controls. Overexpression of CACNA2D2 induced apoptosis in H1299 (12.5%), H358 (13.7%), H460 (22.3%), and A549 (50.1%) cell lines. Levels of intracellular free Ca(2+) were elevated in AdCACNA2D2-transduced cells compared with the controls. Mitochondria membrane depolarization was observed prior to apoptosis in Ad-CACNA2D2 and Adp53-transduced H460 and A549 cells. Release of cyt c into the cytosol, caspase 3 activation, and PARP cleavage were also detected in these cells. Together, these results suggest that one of the pathways in CACNA2D2-induced apoptosis is mediated through disruption of mitochondria membrane integrity, the release of cyt c, and the activation of caspases, a process that is associated with regulation of cytosolic free Ca(2+) contents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism
  • DNA Primers
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism
  • Intracellular Membranes / physiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mitochondria / enzymology
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / physiology
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • CACNA2D1 protein, human
  • Calcium Channels
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • DNA Primers
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspases
  • Calcium