Checkpoint kinase 1 is cleaved in a caspase-dependent pathway during genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) plays important roles in genotoxic stress-induced cell cycle checkpoint and in normal cell cycle progression. Here, we show that Chk1 is cleaved in the treatment of apoptotic dose of etoposide (ETP) or cisplatin (CIS) but not of viable dose in HeLa S3 cells. The cleavage of Chk1 was completely inhibited by an irreversible and cell-permeable pan-caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe) fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk). These results identify Chk1 as a novel substrate that is cleaved by a caspase-dependent manner during genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis. Our data may also indicate the existence of a novel Chk1-regulated apoptotic pathway.