Inhibition of NGF deprivation-induced death by low oxygen involves suppression of BIMEL and activation of HIF-1

J Cell Biol. 2005 Mar 14;168(6):911-20. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200407079.

Abstract

Changes in O(2) tension can significantly impact cell survival, yet the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. Here, we report that maintaining sympathetic neurons under low O(2) inhibits apoptosis caused by NGF deprivation. Low O(2) exposure blocked cytochrome c release after NGF withdrawal, in part by suppressing the up-regulation of BIM(EL). Forced BIM(EL) expression removed the block to cytochrome c release but did not prevent protection by low O(2). Exposing neurons to low O(2) also activated hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and expression of a stabilized form of HIF-1alpha (HIF-1alpha(PP-->AG)) inhibited cell death in normoxic, NGF-deprived cells. Targeted deletion of HIF-1alpha partially suppressed the protective effect of low O(2), whereas deletion of HIF-1alpha combined with forced BIM(EL) expression completely reversed the ability of low O(2) to inhibit cell death. These data suggest a new model for how O(2) tension can influence apoptotic events that underlie trophic factor deprivation-induced cell death.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • COS Cells
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cell Hypoxia / physiology*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Ganglia, Sympathetic / cytology
  • Ganglia, Sympathetic / embryology
  • Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Immunoblotting
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Nerve Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / cytology
  • Superior Cervical Ganglion / embryology
  • Transcription Factors*

Substances

  • Cytochrome c Group
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hif1a protein, mouse
  • Hif1a protein, rat
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Luciferases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • c-jun N-terminal kinase Bim(EL), rat
  • Caspases