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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila
Published on: November 27, 2016
Beclin 1 augmented cis-diamminedichloroplatinum induced apoptosis via enhancing caspase-9 activity
Daisuke Furuya1, Naoki Tsuji, Atsuhito Yagihashi
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, South-1, West-16, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan.
Abstract:
Beclin 1, identified as a Bcl-2-interacting protein, is known to enhance autophagy. However, the effect of Beclin 1 on apoptotic signaling has remained unclear. Here, we show that overexpression of Beclin 1 in MKN28 human gastric cancer cells augmented cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)-induced apoptosis. Conversely, "knockdown" of Beclin 1 by a small inhibitory RNA in MKN 1 cells attenuated this cytotoxicity. Furthermore, not only caspase-3/7 activities, but also caspase-9 activity was increased in Beclin 1 gene transfectants treated with CDDP, and caspase-9 inhibitor completely abolished augmentation of CDDP-induced apoptosis by Beclin 1 as did a caspase-3 inhibitor. Thus, Beclin 1 augments CDDP-induced apoptosis through enhancing caspase-9 activity and functions as a pro-apoptotic molecule.
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