Formation of Klotho Granules in Oxidative Stress-induced Human Cancer Cells

Abstract

Klotho is an anti-aging protein as well as a tumor suppressor. Current studies have indicated that klotho causes apoptosis by affecting the p53/p21 pathway in oxidative stress-induced cancer cells. However, the detailed cellular dynamics underlying the actions of klotho under conditions of oxidative stress in human cells are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the mechanisms and roles of klotho in oxidation-induced human lung cancer cells using immunofluorescence methods. It was incidentally found that klotho forms unique granules, which are also observed in another human lung cancer cell line and different types of human cancer cells. Additionally, the most important and multifunctional tumor-suppressor factor p53 was identified to be essential for the formation of klotho granules.