Multiple protective functions of catalase against intercellular apoptosis-inducing ROS signaling of human tumor cells

Tumor cells are protected against intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis signaling mediated by the HOCl and/or the nitric oxide (NO)/peroxynitrite signaling pathway. We have recently shown that tumor cell resistance against HOCl signaling can be abrogated through inhibition of catalase. The protection of tumor cells against the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway has remained enigmatic so far. Here, we show that suboptimal inhibition of catalase by 3-aminotriazole or a monoclonal antibody against catalase, as well as partial knockdown of catalase by specific siRNA allows selective reactivation of the NO/peroxynitrite pathway in MKN 45 gastric carcinoma cells, followed by the HOCl pathway at higher inhibitor or siRNA concentrations. In SKN-MC Ewing sarcoma cells, catalase inhibition causes apoptosis induction solely based on the NO/peroxynitrite pathway. Protection against NO/peroxynitrite signaling is shown to be clue to the potential of catalase to decompose peroxynitrite. The direct interaction of catalase with peroxynitrite is verified through the detection of compound I (CAT Fe-IV=O+center dot) after the interaction of peroxynitrite with catalase. In a complementary experiment, addition of catalase protects sensitive transformed cells against ROS-mediated apoptosis induction. Thus, the expression of membrane-associated catalase is sufficient to protect tumor cells against multiple intercellular ROS-mediated signaling pathways.