Regulation of cell death by recycling endosomes and golgi membrane dynamics via a pathway involving Src-family kinases, Cdc42 and Rab11a

Actin dynamics and membrane trafficking influence cell commitment to programmed cell death through largely undefined mechanisms. To investigate how actin and recycling endosome (RE) trafficking can engage death signaling, we studied the death program induced by the adenovirus early region 4 open reading frame 4 (E4orf4) protein as a model. We found that in the early stages of E4orf4 expression, Src-family kinases (SFKs), Cdc42, and actin perturbed the organization of the endocytic recycling compartment and promoted the transport of REs to the Golgi apparatus, while inhibiting recycling of protein cargos to the plasma membrane. The resulting changes in Golgi membrane dynamics that relied on actin-regulated Rab11a membrane trafficking triggered scattering of Golgi membranes and contributed to the progression of cell death. A similar mobilization of RE traffic mediated by SFKs, Cdc42 and Rab11a also contributed to Golgi fragmentation and to cell death progression in response to staurosporine, in a caspase-independent manner. Collectively, these novel findings suggest that diversion of RE trafficking to the Golgi complex through a pathway involving SFKs, Cdc42, and Rab11a plays a general role in death signaling by mediating regulated changes in Golgi dynamics.

Thyroid cancer: patients' experiences of receiving iodine-131 therapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To enhance understanding of the experiences and educational needs of patients receiving iodine-131 (131I) therapy for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

DESIGN

Qualitative design using interpretive description.

SETTING

A 24-bed oncology/acute-care medical unit in a large tertiary hospital in western Canada.

SAMPLE

5 men and 22 women (18-80 years of age) who have received 131I therapy in the past two years.

METHODS

Unstructured focus group and telephone interviews and field notes. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Researchers elicited four major themes from the analysis: (a) recognizing the totality of the cancer experience, (b) being isolated, (c) recognizing the totality of the treatment experience, and (d) understanding barriers to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare providers require a better understanding of thyroid disease and the treatment and side effects of 131I therapy. Furthermore, educational programs are required to adequately prepare nurses and patients for future care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

A need exists to improve the care and education provided to patients receiving 131I therapy. In particular, recognition of the totality of the cancer experience and the need for both staff and patient education were illustrated. If nurses are to provide comprehensive cancer care, both psychosocial and physical needs must be addressed and fulfilling these needs requires a collaborative approach among patients, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.