Histone methyltransferases and demethylases regulate transcription by altering the epigenetic marks on histones in tumorigenesis. Members of the histone lysine(K)-specific demethylase 4 (KDM4) family are dysregulated in several types of cancer. Here, we report a novel role for KDM4B in mitochondrial apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that KDM4B is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) ...

Release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol is a critical step in apoptosis. We have reported that early release of cytochrome c in vivo occurs after permanent focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) and is mediated by the mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, the role of reactive oxygen species produced after ischemia-reperfusion in the mitochondrial apoptos...

Upon viral infection, cells undergo apoptosis as a defense against viral replication. Viruses, in turn, have evolved elaborate mechanisms to subvert apoptotic processes. Here, we report that a novel viral mitochondrial anti-apoptotic protein (vMAP) of murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV-68) interacts with Bcl-2 and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) in a genetically separable manner. Th...

Previous studies have shown that zinc deficiency leads to apoptosis of neuronal precursor cells in vivo and in vitro. In addition to the role of p53 as a nuclear transcription factor in zinc deficient cultured human neuronal precursors (NT-2), we have now identified the translocation of phosphorylated p53 to the mitochondria and p53-dependent increases in the pro-apoptotic mitochondrial protein...

We have previously shown that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid fiber fermentation product, induces colonocyte apoptosis via a nonmitochondrial, Fas-mediated, extrinsic pathway. Interestingly, fermentable fiber when combined with fish oil containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) exhibits an enhanced ability to induce apoptosis and protect against colon tumorigenesis. To determine the mol...

Expansion of a CAG repeat in the Huntington's disease (HD) gene results in progressive neuronal loss, particularly of striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs). Studies in human HD autopsy brain tissue, as well as cellular and animal models of HD, suggest that increased activity of NMDA-type glutamate receptors and altered mitochondrial function contribute to selective neuronal degeneration. I...

Schizophrenia is a chronic and often debilitating illness which affects about 1% of the world population. Some reagents have been used to simulate schizophrenic disorders in laboratory animals, such as amphetamine and ketamine. Previous studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduced levels of ATP, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis are involved in the pathoph...

Serum deprivation or withdrawal induces apoptosis in endothelial cells, resulting in endothelial cell dysfunction that is associated with cardiovascular disease. However, there is still limited information on the role of miRNA in serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Here we found that serum deprivation increased caspase-dependent apoptosis through miRNA-101-3p downregulation, without altering e...

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage exposed skin cells. Mitochondria and NADPH oxidase are the two principal producers of ROS in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes. Peroxiredoxin V (PrxV) is a mitochondrial cytosolic cysteine-dependent peroxidase enzyme that robustly removes H2O2. We investigated PrxV’s role protecting epidermal keratinocytes agai...