trans-Fatty acids promote DNA damage-induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial JNK-Sab-ROS axis

Abstract

trans-Fatty acids (TFAs) are fatty acids possessing at least one carbon-carbon trans double bond. The intake of TFAs contained in processed foods, such as elaidic acid, has been associated with various diseases including atherosclerosis. However, the underlying disease etiology remains unknown.

Here, we found that TFAs promote DNA damage-induced apoptosis through feedforward amplification of the mitochondrial ROS generation and JNK activation, and that the amplification is mediated by Sab, which is localized at the mitochondrial outer membrane. Our study provides a novel mechanistic insight into TFA-related diseases.