SUBCELLULAR REDISTRIBUTION OF HSP72 PROTEIN DURING CISPLATIN-INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN HELA-CELLS

Exposure of HeLa cells to cisplatin results in the activation of apopt otic cell death. This drug induces DNA damage and generates reactive o xygen intermediates. Since cisplatin is highly reactive and binds to d iverse proteins, it could create abnormal protein structures or nonspe cific aggregates. For these reasons; we analyzed the expression and su bcelullar distribution of hsp72, a heat-shock protein that enables cel ls under stress to cope with damaged proteins. We did not observe any changes in the expression of hsp72 protein, although, by immunofluores cence studies, we detected a dramatic redistribution of the protein. T hese results and its probable relevance in the drug-induced apoptotic phenomenon are discussed.