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Streptozotocin at low doses induces apoptosis and at high doses causes necrosis in a murine pancreatic ß cell line, INS‐1
Author(s) -
Saini Kulvinder S.,
Thompson Cassie,
Winterford Clay M.,
Walker Neal I.,
Cameron Donald P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1080/15216549600201422
Subject(s) - apoptosis , necrosis , streptozotocin , programmed cell death , beta cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cytotoxic t cell , cell culture , biology , endonuclease , chemistry , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , dna , biochemistry , in vitro , islet , genetics
Abstract The ability of ß cells to endure assaults by various environmental agents, including toxins and viruses, may be relevant to the development of diabetes. We have examined the mode of cell death caused by streptozotocin (STZ) in a murine pancreatic ß cell line, INS‐1. Apoptosis was identified by detection of initial endonuclease‐mediated DNA strand breaks by DNA gel electrophoresis. Apoptosis and necrosis were distinguished morphologically by light and electron microscopy. Higher rates of apoptosis, as compared to necrosis, were observed when cells were exposed to 15 mM STZ for 1 hr followed by a 24 hrs recovery period. Higher doses of STZ (30 mM) caused the cells to undergo necrosis (22%) as well as apoptosis (17%). These results suggest that the cytotoxic effect of STZ, at low doses, on ß cells involves the activation of the apoptotic pathway, whereas, at high doses, the mode of ß cell death is predominantly necrosis.