Central Signaling Elements of Intercellular Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species-dependent Induction of Apoptosis in Malignant Cells

Intercellular reactive oxygen/reactive nitrogen species-(ROS/RNS)-dependent induction of apoptosis in malignant cells is discussed as a potential control step during oncogenesis. In previous studies, the mechanism of intercellular apoptosis-inducing signaling was mainly established through the use of specific inhibitors and scavengers. Here, a detailed analysis was carried out based on small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of central players of intercellular ROS/RNS signaling and of the mitochondrial and the FAS receptor-dependent pathway of apoptosis. The data show that transforming growth factor beta 1, transforming growth factor beta receptor, NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX1), NOX1 organizer, and NOX1 activator control the HOCl and the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathways. Dual oxidase-1 (DUOX1) is specifically involved in HOCl signaling, and NO synthase in NO/peroxynitrite signaling. Both pathways utilize intracellular signal transduction through protein kinase C zeta, sphingomyelinase and central elements of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, whereas the FAS receptor and FAS ligand do not seem to play a role.