Arnt2 nucleocytoplasmic translocation in the process of CGNs apoptosis induced by low potassium

AIM：To analyze the changes of Arnt2 subcellular localization in the process of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) apoptosis induced by low concentration of potassium.METHODS：Western blotting was used to detect the variation of Arnt2 proteins in nuclei extracts of CGNs in the process of apoptosis induced by low concentration of potassium.Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSM) was used to detect the changes of Arnt2 subcellular localization.RESULTS：In nuclei extracts of CGNs,when treated with low concentration of potassium,Arnt2 protein was up-regulated obviously at 30 min and peaked at 1 h,returned to the level of normal control at 6 h.LSM analysis result showed that Arnt2,which located in normal CGNs nuclei,was translocated into cytoplasm after induced by low concentration of potassium gradually.At the late stage of apoptosis,Arnt2 proteins located in cytoplasm and overlapped with HSP60 completely,which was regarded as a protein of mitochondria localization.CONCLUSIONS：Arnt2 protein translocates from nuclei into cytoplasm (probably into mitochondria) during CGNs apoptosis evoked by low concentration of potassium;suggesting that Arnt2 is involved in apoptosis probably by transmitting apoptotic or survival signals evoked by potassium directly.