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TRAIL-induced apoptosis is independent of the mitochondrial apoptosis mediator DAP3

Thorsten Berger1, Matthias Kretzler

  • 1Klinische Biochemie der Medizinischen Poliklinik, Universität München, Schillerstrasse 42, D-80336 Munich, Germany.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 3, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Death-associated protein 3 (DAP3) does not mediate Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. DAP3 and Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) interaction occurs only in vitro, not in intact cells during TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) triggers apoptosis via DR4/DR5 receptors and Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD).
  • A proposed adapter function for death-associated protein 3 (DAP3) between DR4/DR5 and FADD has been reported, but DAP3 is also known as a mitochondrial ribosomal protein.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intracellular localization of DAP3 during TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
  • To clarify the interaction between DAP3 and FADD in the context of TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of intracellular DAP3 localization in human T-lymphocytes after recombinant TRAIL induction.
  • Cell fractionation and co-immunoprecipitation assays using whole cell lysates and separated subcellular compartments.

Main Results:

  • DAP3 remained localized within mitochondria during apoptosis, unlike cytochrome c.
  • No FADD-DAP3 interaction was detected in intact subcellular compartments; interaction was only observed in vitro using whole cell lysates.
  • TRAIL-induced and DR4-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat cells proceeded independently of DAP3.

Conclusions:

  • DAP3 does not function as an adapter protein between DR4/DR5 and FADD in intact cells during TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
  • The interaction between DAP3 and FADD is an in vitro artifact occurring only after cellular compartment disruption.
  • DAP3 is not essential for TRAIL-induced apoptosis mediated by DR4 in Jurkat cells.

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