Biophysical Cell Membrane Changes During Chemotherapeutic Drug-Induced Apoptosis

Authors

Amanda Berbert, Brigham Young University
Dr. John Bell, Brigham Young University

Keywords

biophysical cell membrane, chemotherapeutic, drug-induced apoptosis

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Our project provided us the opportunity to gain insight into how chemotherapy drugs affect the cell membrane and how secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂) can work in tandem with these drugs to accelerate the cell death process. The enzyme sPLA2 produces a pro-inflammatory response that plays an important role in wound protection and healing and is also associated with diseases including septic shock, atherosclerosis, and cancer. This enzyme preferentially hydrolyzes cells that exhibit specific physical membrane properties in response to cellular trauma or apoptosis (programmed cell death). We hypothesized that although chemotherapeutic agents work through different mechanisms, the drugs induce similar biophysical membrane changes. Therefore, we expected sPLA₂ to increase the hydrolysis of our cancerous cell membranes after they are treated with chemotherapeutic agents irrespective of the inducer. This would suggest a role for sPLA₂ as a therapeutic ally during chemotherapy.

Recommended Citation

Berbert, Amanda and Bell, Dr. John (2013) "Biophysical Cell Membrane Changes During Chemotherapeutic Drug-Induced Apoptosis," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1513.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1513