Golgi dispersal in irradiated cells and the protective effect of vanillin derivatives

Objective: To determine the Golgi dispersal in radiation damaged cells and the protective effect of vanillin derivatives. Methods: Immunofluorescence, cell cycle analysis of flow-cytometry, Western blot, and clone formation were used. Results: Immunofluorescence observation showed that the Golgi dispersal caused by 2 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-ray was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in the range of 4-10 Gy as was demonstrated by the fact that the Golgi area was significantly increased. When the irradiated cells were treated with the radioprotective agent VND3207, a vanillin derivative, the Golgi dispersal induced by radiation was significantly reduced. The radiation-induced Golgi dispersal was also displayed in a pattern of time-course after irradiation in the HeLa cells, and persisted at least to 36 h post-irradiation. Cell cycle test results indicated that the Golgi dispersal was not associated with the G₂/M arrest triggered by radiation- induced DNA damage response. VND3207 could promote cell survival by plate colony formation assay. Conclusion: The Golgi dispersal can be caused by γ-ray irradiation in a dose-and time-dependent manner, and VND3207 can provide a good protection against radiation injury associated with inhibited Golgi dispersal. (authors)