Re: Apoptosis

From: Derek Davies (daviesd2@icrf.icnet.uk)
Date: Fri Feb 19 1999 - 12:15:51 EST


On Wed, 17 Feb 1999, Richard Meister wrote:
> I have two questions re: apoptosis that came up during a recent consult on
> the subject.
> 
> 1.  What is the best positive control to use; i.e., an easy-to-grow cell
> line that can be reliably and predictably induced into apoptosis?  (I seem
> to recall a thread on this question some time ago, but I couldn't find it
> in the archives.)

I generally use a PBL cell line - HL60 (ATCC Desig: CCL 240). These are
easy to grow in suspension and can be induces to go into apoptosis by the
addition of either:
100ug/ml camptothecin or
100uM Dexamethasone or
50ug/ml etoposide

I usually use camptothecin as you should get a reasonable percentage of
apoptotic cells after about 4 hours.

> 2.  How should one pronounce "apoptosis"?  When I first heard the term
> (probably 10 years ago), the second "p" was silent (A-pO-tO-sis).  Since
> then, I have increasingly heard the second "p" pronounced (A-pop-tO-sis).
> And, I can't find the word in a dictionary.

As 'apoptosis' has a Greek origin there is a case for not pronouncing the
second p. However English is not Greek and pronounciation can change (1).
It seems to me that the second pronounciation is the more common (and the
one I use) but I don't know of anywhere where there is a "guide'. 

http://www.celldeath-apoptosis.org/HistOfApoptosis.html
is a good review of the use of the word historically.

Derek

(1) The "inventor" of margarine originally intended it to be pronounced
with a soft g - mar-ja-rine but common usage dictated otherwise. Or is
that a UL?

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*  Derek Davies                       Voice: (44) 0171 269 3394            *
*  FACS Laboratory,                   FAX: (44) 0171 269 3100              *
*  Imperial Cancer Research Fund,     e_mail: derek.davies@icrf.icnet.uk   *
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