Journal Article

Recombinant HALT-1 induces mitochondrial-associated apoptotic mechanism in HeLa cells

Loo, Lok Wenn, Hwang, Jung Shan

2025

Overview

The study explored the apoptotic mechanism of Hydra actinoporin-like toxin-1 (HALT-1), an α-pore-forming toxin (α-PFT) produced by Hydra magnipapillata . α-PFT has been known to induce membrane pores in human cells upon contact, leading to the cell death. While previous research has covered HALT-1’s structural, membrane binding, cytolytic, and haemolytic aspects, the detailed information on apoptotic mechanism and cell signalling pathways remain unknown. Our study confirmed previous findings of rHALT-1’s dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with a CC 50 of 15.4 µg/mL observed after 24 h of treatment in our case. Hence, an rHALT-1 concentration below 15.4 µg/mL was selected to examine its apoptotic activity. Real-time Annexin V and DNA dye assays revealed dose- and time-dependent apoptotic patterns, with 12 µg/mL rHALT-1 inducing maximum apoptosis at 7 h and minimal necrosis. Subsequently, flow cytometric analysis showed mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization without active caspase-3 throughout 6, 12, and 24-h treatments. Western blot analysis indicated upregulation of apoptotic-inducing proteins (Bad, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase-9) and downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) at 12 µg/mL of rHALT-1. The absence of active caspases 3, 6, and 8 expressions suggests alternative cell death pathways. In conclusion, the study proposes, for the first time, that rHALT-1 induces apoptosis in HeLa cells by mediating the mitochondrial pathway, although active caspase-3 does not appear to be involved in the execution process. These findings provide a foundation for elucidating the mechanistic basis of rHALT-1 activity and highlight its potential utility in toxin-related research and biotechnological applications.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 631/154 / 631/337 / 631/45 / 631/80 / Annexin V / Apoptosis / Apoptosis - drug effects / Apoptotic pathway mechanism / Bcl-2 protein / Bcl-x protein / Binding sites / Biotechnology / Caspase 3 - metabolism / Caspase-3 / Caspase-9 / Caspases / Cell death / Cytochrome c / Cytotoxicity / Depolarization / DNA damage / Flow cytometry / HeLa Cells / Humanities and Social Sciences / Humans / Hydra actinoporin-like toxin-1 / Kinases / Membrane potential / Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects / Mitochondria / Mitochondria - drug effects / Mitochondria - metabolism / Mitochondrial depolarization / multidisciplinary / Pore-forming toxin / Proteins / Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Signal transduction / Toxins / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF