Journal Top Ten -- COLUMNS-Mold -- June 2008

1

ARTICLE: "Satratoxin G-Induced Apoptosis in PC-12 Neuronal Cells is Mediated by PKR and Caspase-Independent"

SUMMARY: Satratoxin G (SG) is a macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, a mold suggested to play an etiologic role in damp building-related illnesses. Acute intranasal exposure of mice to SG specifically induces apoptosis in olfactory sensory neurons of the nose. The PC-12 rat pheochromocytoma cell model was used to elucidate potential mechanisms of SG-induced neuronal cell death. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that exposure to SG at 10 ng/ml or higher for 48 h induced DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis in PC-12 …