Gene expression analysis of apoptosis pathway in HeLa S3 cells subjected to nanosecond pulsed electric fields

We have investigated the apoptosis-related internal signaling pathways via mitochondria and via endoplasmic reticulum in HeLa S3 cells subjected to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs). Gene expressions of several proteins associated with the apoptosis pathways were analyzed by means of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Also we investigated the effect of the field-induced trans-membrane ion influx on the apoptosis activity. A magnetic pulse compressor (MPC) was used to deliver non-thermal 120 ns long pulsed electric fields repetitively to the cells. The field strength and the pulse number were set at 12.5 kV/cm and 100, respectively, to give sub-lethal effect to the cells. The analysis implies the signal communication based on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) should be activated by the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields. Also the trans-membrane ion influx is considered to relate to the initial phase of apoptosis.