Induction of apoptosis by antimycin A in differentiated PC12 cell line

Antimycin A (AMA) is an inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport chain via binding to mitochondrial complex III. This inhibition increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of AMA on PC12 cells in vitro. Results of the nuclear morphology and the flow cytometer indicated that AMA efficiently induced PC12 cell apoptosis. Moreover, the levels of ROS and Ca²⁺ increased in the early stage of cell apoptosis induced by AMA treatment. All of Ca²⁺ chelators, L‐type Ca²⁺ channel blockers and inhibitors of Ca²⁺ released from endoplasmic reticulum and ROS scavenger, were used in this experiment. It was found that the Ca²⁺ chelators and ROS scavengers, in particular, could delay AMA‐induced PC12 cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study found that AMA induced PC12 cell apoptosis through ROS and Ca²⁺. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.