Prostaglandin-induced programmed cell death in Trypanosoma brucei involves oxidative stress

• Published in: Cell death and differentiation Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 1802 - 1814
• Main Authors: Figarella, K, Uzcategui, N L, Beck, A, Schoenfeld, C, Kubata, B K, Lang, F, Duszenko, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.10.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Cell death; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; DNA, Protozoan - metabolism; Membrane Potentials; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria - metabolism; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Phosphatidylserines - metabolism; Prostaglandin D2 - analogs & derivatives; Prostaglandin D2 - metabolism; Prostaglandin D2 - pharmacology; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Trypanosoma brucei; Trypanosoma brucei brucei - cytology; Trypanosoma brucei brucei - drug effects; Trypanosoma brucei brucei - metabolism
• ISSN: 1350-9047; 1476-5403
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401862

Recently, we reported the induction of a programmed cell death (PCD) in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei by prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)). As this prostanoid is readily metabolized in the presence of albumin, we were prompted to investigate if PGD(2) metabolites rather than PGD(2) itself are responsible for the observed PCD. In fact, J series metabolites, especially PGJ(2) and Delta(12)PGJ(2), were able to induce PCD more efficiently than PGD(2). However, the stable PGD(2) analog 17phenyl-trinor-PGD(2) led to the same phenotype as the natural PGD(2), indicating that the latter induces PCD as well. Interestingly, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level increased significantly under J series metabolites treatment and, incubation with N-acetyl-L-cysteine or glutathione reduced ROS production and cell death significantly. We conclude that PGJ(2) and Delta(12)PGJ(2) formation within the serum represents a mechanism to amplify PGD(2)-induced PCD in trypanosomes via ROS production.