Cyanide induced cell death

Cyanide-induced cell death involves the selective activation of apoptosis or necrosis in different nemonal populations. Mills et al (1999) reported that cyanide-induced cell death occurred via apoptosis in the cortical region of a mouse brain and via necrosis in the substantia nigra. Similarly, Prabhakaran et al (2002) reported that cyanide-induced cell death occurred via apoptosis in primary cortical cells and via necrosis in primary mesencephalic cells. While exposure to potassium cyanide (400 pM) increased the formation of ROS in both cell types, the rates of formation and the nature of ROS varied. For example, catalase and superoxide dismutase decreased the formation of ROS in cortical cells but not in mesencephalic cells. These findings suggest that the selective vulnerabihty of these neuronal populations to cyanide may be related to differences in their susceptibility to oxidative stress. 

Prabhakaran, K., Li, L., Borowitz, J.L., Isom, G.E. (2002). Cyanide induces different modes of death in cortical and mesencephalon cells. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 303 510-19. 

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