ZnT2 is a critical mediator of lysosomal-mediated cell death during early mammary gland involution.

ABSTRACT: Mammary gland involution is the most dramatic example of physiological cell death. It occurs through an initial phase of lysosomal-mediated cell death (LCD) followed by mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Zinc (Zn) activates both LCD and apoptosis in vitro. The Zn transporter ZnT2 imports Zn into vesicles and mitochondria and ZnT2-overexpression activates cell death in mammary epithelial cells (MECs). We tested the hypothesis that ZnT2-mediated Zn transport is critical for mammary gland involution in mice. Following weaning, ZnT2 abundance increased in lysosomes and mitochondria, which paralleled Zn accumulation in each of these organelles. Adenoviral expression of ZnT2 in lactating mouse mammary glands in vivo increased Zn in lysosomes and mitochondria and activated LCD and apoptosis, promo

SUBMITTER: Hennigar SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4306139 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature