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Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
14-3-3 inhibits Bad-induced cell death through interaction with serine-136
S C Masters1, H Yang, S R Datta
1Graduate Program in Molecular and Systems Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Abstract:
14-3-3 proteins are a family of multifunctional phosphoserine binding molecules that can serve as effectors of survival signaling. Understanding the molecular basis for the prosurvival effect of 14-3-3 may lead to the development of agents useful in the treatment of disorders involving dysregulated apoptosis. One target of 14-3-3 is the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bad. Serine phosphorylation of Bad is associated with 14-3-3 binding and inhibition of Bad-induced cell death, but the relative contributions of the three known phosphorylation sites to 14-3-3 binding have not been established. Here we demonstrate that S136 of Bad is vital for 14-3-3 interaction, but S112 seems to be dispensable. 14-3-3/Bad interaction was strictly dependent on the presence of phosphorylated S136 in vitro, in yeast, and in mammalian cells. However, mutation of S112 did not affect 14-3-3 binding. The death caused by wild-type and S112A Bad, but not that caused by S136A Bad, could be almost completely abrogated by 14-3-3. These data support a critical role for 14-3-3 in regulating Bad proapoptotic activity. The effect of 14-3-3 on Bad is controlled largely by phosphorylation of S136, whereas S112 may represent a 14-3-3-independent pathway.
Insights
14-3-3 proteins regulate cell death by binding to the proapoptotic protein Bad. Phosphorylation at serine 136 is critical for this interaction, while serine 112 appears dispensable for 14-3-3 binding and Bad function.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- 14-3-3 proteins are key regulators of cell signaling pathways.
- Dysregulated apoptosis is implicated in various diseases.
- The proapoptotic protein Bad is a target of 14-3-3 proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of specific phosphorylation sites on Bad in mediating 14-3-3 binding.
- To understand the contribution of these sites to the inhibition of Bad-induced apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- In vitro binding assays.
- Yeast and mammalian cell-based interaction studies.
- Site-directed mutagenesis of Bad phosphorylation sites (S112 and S136).
Main Results:
- 14-3-3/Bad interaction is dependent on phosphorylated serine 136 (S136) of Bad.
- Mutation of S112 did not affect 14-3-3 binding to Bad.
- 14-3-3 effectively abrogated cell death induced by wild-type and S112A Bad, but not S136A Bad.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorylation of S136 is essential for 14-3-3 to inhibit Bad's proapoptotic activity.
- S112 phosphorylation may regulate a separate, 14-3-3-independent pathway.
- These findings highlight the critical role of S136 phosphorylation in 14-3-3-mediated apoptosis regulation.
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