FIG. 1.

Expression of CA-MST1 induces peripheral chromatin condensation in a caspase-independent manner. (A) Typical chromatin condensation morphology induced by MST1 expression in 293T cells. Control vector (Control) or CA-MST1 [Myc-MST1(1-330)] vector was transfected into 293T cells. pH2B-DsRed1 was cotransfected as a nuclear marker. After 18 h, nuclei were examined by CLSM. Nuclei of CA-MST1-transfected cells show the morphology typical of peripheral chromatin condensation. (B) Peripheral chromatin condensation induced by MST1 is caspase-independent. 293T cells were transfected with CA-MST1 in the presence of the caspase inhibitor Z-Asp-CH₂-DCB (25 μM) or solvent alone (0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide). After 18 h, nuclei were examined by CLSM. Results shown are the mean percentage ± standard deviation of cells with nuclei showing peripheral chromatin condensation and are representative of three trials.