Mutant nicastrin protein can induce the cytochrome c release and the Bax expression.

This study investigated whether nicastrin can induce apoptotic cell death in SK-N-MC cells. MTT assays revealed the transfected cells expressing mutant nicastrin, compared with those expressing wild nicastrin or the control vector, showing significantly increased cell death. The mutant nicastrin transfectants were also observed to induce cytosolic cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, and Bax protein expression in response, to increased cell death. These observations suggested that nicastrin, as well as the APP and PS proteins, were also involved in the upregulated Bax mediated neuroblastoma cell death and the release of cytochrome c in the neuroblastoma.