Ceramide triggers p53-dependent apoptosis in genetically defined fibrosarcoma tumour cells
1999
Ceramide and p53 in Cancer Cell Death
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Pruschy M, Resch H, Shi Y-Q, Aalame N, Glanzmann C, Bodis S
Primary Institution: Department of Radiation Oncology, Molecular Radiobiology Laboratory, Zurich, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Does ceramide trigger p53-dependent apoptosis in fibrosarcoma tumor cells?
Conclusion
Ceramide can induce apoptosis in tumor cells, but this effect depends on the presence of p53.
Supporting Evidence
- Treatment with sphingomyelinase reduced wild-type p53 fibrosarcoma cell proliferation significantly.
- C2-ceramide induced apoptosis in wild-type p53 cells but not in p53-deficient cells.
- FACS analysis showed that C2-ceramide caused 40-50% apoptosis in wild-type p53 cells after 12-24 hours.
Takeaway
Ceramide helps some cancer cells die, but it only works if the cells have a specific protein called p53.
Methodology
The study used genetically defined wild-type p53 and p53-deficient mouse fibrosarcoma cells to assess the effects of ceramide and sphingomyelinase on cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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