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Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cheng, EH; Kirsch, DG; Clem, RJ; Ravi, R; Kastan, MB; Bedi, A; Ueno, K; Hardwick, JM
Published in: Science
December 12, 1997

Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases implicated in the biochemical and morphological changes that occur during apoptosis (programmed cell death). The loop domain of Bcl-2 is cleaved at Asp34 by caspase-3 (CPP32) in vitro, in cells overexpressing caspase-3, and after induction of apoptosis by Fas ligation and interleukin-3 withdrawal. The carboxyl-terminal Bcl-2 cleavage product triggered cell death and accelerated Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis, which was dependent on the BH3 homology and transmembrane domains of Bcl-2. Inhibitor studies indicated that cleavage of Bcl-2 may further activate downstream caspases and contribute to amplification of the caspase cascade. Cleavage-resistant mutants of Bcl-2 had increased protection from interleukin-3 withdrawal and Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis. Thus, cleavage of Bcl-2 by caspases may ensure the inevitability of cell death.

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Published In

Science

DOI

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

December 12, 1997

Volume

278

Issue

5345

Start / End Page

1966 / 1968

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • fas Receptor
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Transfection
  • Sindbis Virus
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Mutation
  • Jurkat Cells
 

Citation

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Cheng, E. H., Kirsch, D. G., Clem, R. J., Ravi, R., Kastan, M. B., Bedi, A., … Hardwick, J. M. (1997). Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases. Science, 278(5345), 1966–1968. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5345.1966
Cheng, E. H., D. G. Kirsch, R. J. Clem, R. Ravi, M. B. Kastan, A. Bedi, K. Ueno, and J. M. Hardwick. “Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases.Science 278, no. 5345 (December 12, 1997): 1966–68. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5345.1966.
Cheng EH, Kirsch DG, Clem RJ, Ravi R, Kastan MB, Bedi A, et al. Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases. Science. 1997 Dec 12;278(5345):1966–8.
Cheng, E. H., et al. “Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases.Science, vol. 278, no. 5345, Dec. 1997, pp. 1966–68. Pubmed, doi:10.1126/science.278.5345.1966.
Cheng EH, Kirsch DG, Clem RJ, Ravi R, Kastan MB, Bedi A, Ueno K, Hardwick JM. Conversion of Bcl-2 to a Bax-like death effector by caspases. Science. 1997 Dec 12;278(5345):1966–1968.
Journal cover image

Published In

Science

DOI

ISSN

0036-8075

Publication Date

December 12, 1997

Volume

278

Issue

5345

Start / End Page

1966 / 1968

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • fas Receptor
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Transfection
  • Sindbis Virus
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Mutation
  • Jurkat Cells