Caspase-2 and JNK Activated by Saturated Fatty Acids are Not Involved in Apoptosis Induction but Modulate ER Stress in Human Pancreatic β-cells

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry

关键词: Caspase-2;    JNK;    Saturated fatty acids;    Apoptosis;    Endoplasmic reticulum stress;    β-cells;   

DOI  :  10.1159/000343367

学科分类：分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

来源: S Karger AG

【 摘 要 】

Background Fatty acid-induced apoptosis and ER stress of pancreatic β-cells contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, however, the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. Aims In this study we have tested the role of caspase-2 and suggested ER stress mediator JNK in saturated fatty acid-induced apoptosis of the human pancreatic β-cells NES2Y. Results We found that stearic acid at apoptosis-inducing concentration activated ER stress signaling pathways, i.e. IRE1α, PERK and ATF6 pathways, in NES2Y cells. During stearic acid-induced apoptosis, JNK inhibition did not decrease the rate of apoptosis nor the activation of caspase-8, -9, -7 and -2 and PARP cleavage. In addition, inhibition of JNK activity did not affect CHOP expression although it did decrease the induction of BiP expression after stearic acid treatment. Caspase-2 silencing had no effect on PARP as well as caspase-8, -9 and -7 cleavage and the induction of CHOP expression, however, it also decreased the induction of BiP expression. Surprisingly, caspase-2 silencing was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of c-Jun. Conclusions We have demonstrated that caspase-2 as well as JNK are not key players in apoptosis induction by saturated fatty acids in human pancreatic β-cells NES2Y. However, they appear to be involved in the modulation of saturated fatty acid-induced ER stress signaling, probably by a mechanism independent of c-Jun phosphorylation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND