How Ceramide Moves to Mitochondria During Cell Death
Author Information
Author(s): Babiychuk Eduard B., Atanassoff Alexander P., Monastyrskaya Katia, Brandenberger Christina, Studer Daniel, Allemann Catherine, Draeger Annette
Primary Institution: Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Can a stress-mediated plasmalemmal pool of ceramide be transferred to the mitochondria of apoptotic cells?
Conclusion
Ceramide platforms from the plasma membrane are internalized and establish direct contacts with the mitochondrial outer membrane during apoptosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Confocal microscopy showed ceramide platforms partially colocalizing with mitochondria in stimulated cells.
- Electron microscopy revealed direct contacts between invaginated plasma membrane and mitochondrial outer membranes.
- Plasmalemmal invaginations were observed in 37.5% of Jurkat cells after Ca2+-overload.
Takeaway
When cells are stressed, a special fat called ceramide moves from the outside of the cell to the mitochondria, which helps trigger cell death.
Methodology
The study used confocal microscopy and electron microscopic tomography to observe ceramide dynamics in living cells.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on Jurkat T-cells and THP-1 cells, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study involved Jurkat T-cells and a human monocyte cell line (THP-1).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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