Modulation of CPP32 activity and induction of apoptosis in human CEM × 174 lymphocytes by heptachlor, a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide

Heptachlor is an organochlorine insecticide used worldwide for the control of pests both agriculturally and domestically. Its lipophilic structure allows it to bioaccumulate and pass through the food chain, exposing those who come in contact with it to its tumor promoting and possible carcinogenic effects. As a mechanism of tumor promotion, we explored the possibility of heptachlor suppressing the apoptotic process in human CEM × 174 lymphocytes. In this article, we describe the effect of heptachlor on the activity of the apoptosis protease CPP32. We show that heptachlor by itself was able to stimulate CPP32 activity at relatively high concentrations. When combined with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin, a known CPP32 activator, a dual effect was observed. Low concentrations of heptachlor (5 μM–10 μM) suppressed doxorubicin‐induced CPP32 activity, and high concentrations of heptachlor (80 μM–120 μM) augmented it. We also showed that heptachlor alone at relatively high concentrations induced apoptosis‐associated changes in CEM × 174 cells including high molecular weight (HMW) DNA cleavage and chromatin condensation. From these results, it appears that heptachlor has tumor promoting‐like effects at lower concentrations, and at higher concentrations induces apoptosis as a mechanism of cytotoxicity. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 14: 42–50, 2000