Document Detail


The caspase-8 dimerization/dissociation balance is a highly potent regulator of caspase-8, -3, -6 signaling.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20702410     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Apoptosis is driven by positive feedback activation between aspartate-specific cysteinyl proteases (caspases). These feedback loops ensure the swift and efficient elimination of cells upon initiation of apoptosis execution. At the same time, the signaling network must be insensitive to erroneous, mild caspase activation to avoid unwanted, excessive cell death. Sublethal caspase activation in fact was shown to be a requirement for the differentiation of multiple cell types but might also occur accidentally during short, transient cellular stress conditions. Here we carried out an in silico comparison of the molecular mechanisms that so far have been identified to impair the amplification of caspase activities via the caspase-8, -3, -6 loop. In a systems model resembling HeLa cervical cancer cells, the dimerization/dissociation balance of caspase-8 potently suppressed the amplification of caspase responses, surprisingly outperforming or matching known caspase-8 and -3 inhibitors such as bifunctional apoptosis repressor or x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. These findings were further substantiated in global sensitivity analyses based on combinations of protein concentrations from the sub- to superphysiological range to screen the full spectrum of biological variability that can be expected within cell populations and between distinct cell types. Additional modeling showed that the combined effects of x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and caspase-8 dimerization/dissociation processes can also provide resistance to larger inputs of active caspases. Our study therefore highlights a central and so far underappreciated role of caspase-8 dimerization/dissociation in avoiding unwanted cell death by lethal amplification of caspase responses via the caspase-8, -3, -6 loop.
Authors:
Maximilian L Würstle; Maike A Laussmann; Markus Rehm
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2010-08-11
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of biological chemistry     Volume:  285     ISSN:  1083-351X     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Biol. Chem.     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-18     Completed Date:  2010-11-24     Revised Date:  2011-10-24    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985121R     Medline TA:  J Biol Chem     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  33209-18     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics,  metabolism
Apoptosis / physiology
Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics,  metabolism
Caspase 3 / genetics,  metabolism*
Caspase 6 / genetics,  metabolism*
Caspase 8 / genetics,  metabolism*
Hela Cells
Humans
Membrane Proteins / genetics,  metabolism
Models, Biological*
Protein Multimerization / physiology*
Signal Transduction / physiology*
X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / genetics,  metabolism
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; 0/Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; 0/BFAR protein, human; 0/Membrane Proteins; 0/X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein; 0/XIAP protein, human; EC 3.4.22.-/CASP3 protein, human; EC 3.4.22.-/CASP6 protein, human; EC 3.4.22.-/CASP8 protein, human; EC 3.4.22.-/Caspase 3; EC 3.4.22.-/Caspase 6; EC 3.4.22.-/Caspase 8

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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