Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis
08:55

Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis

Published on: August 7, 2018

From cell death to viral replication: the diverse functions of the membrane-associated FKBP38

Frank Edlich1, Christian Lücke

  • 1NIH, Surgical Neurology Branch, NINDS, Bethesda, MD 20892-3704, USA.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|April 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

FKBP38, a unique protein, regulates cell death and other processes like mTOR signaling and viral replication. Targeting FKBP38 offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • FKBP38 is an exceptional member of the FK506-binding protein family.
  • Its calmodulin-regulated activity is unique within this protein family.
  • FKBP38 plays a role in apoptosis signaling by inhibiting Bcl-2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the diverse cellular roles of FKBP38 beyond apoptosis.
  • To investigate FKBP38's involvement in processes independent of its FKBP domain.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of targeting FKBP38.

Main Methods:

  • The abstract does not specify methods, but implies functional studies and potentially biochemical assays.
  • Analysis of FKBP38's interactions and regulatory functions.
  • Exploration of FKBP38's role in various cellular pathways.

Main Results:

  • FKBP38 regulates apoptosis by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2.
  • FKBP38 is involved in diverse cellular processes including mTOR kinase regulation, neural tube formation, cellular hypoxia response, and Hepatitis C virus replication.
  • These functions are not always dependent on the FKBP domain.

Conclusions:

  • FKBP38 exhibits unique, multifaceted cellular functions.
  • Pharmacological targeting of FKBP38 presents a promising strategy for treating diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

More Related Videos

Tyramide Signal Amplification for the Immunofluorescent Staining of ZBP1-Dependent Phosphorylation of RIPK3 and MLKL After HSV-1 Infection in Human Cells09:15

Tyramide Signal Amplification for the Immunofluorescent Staining of ZBP1-Dependent Phosphorylation of RIPK3 and MLKL After HSV-1 Infection in Human Cells

Published on: October 20, 2022

Preparation of Cell-lines for Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression and Measurement of the Knockdown Effects on E4orf4-Induced Cell Death13:54

Preparation of Cell-lines for Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression and Measurement of the Knockdown Effects on E4orf4-Induced Cell Death

Published on: October 21, 2012

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Introduction to Membrane Traffic01:44

Introduction to Membrane Traffic

The ER, Golgi apparatus, endosomes, and lysosomes work in tandem to modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids. An integrated membrane trafficking network facilitates the back and forth shuttling of molecules within different organelles in the same cell or across the cell membrane.
The transport of soluble and membrane proteins is mediated by transport vesicles that collect cargo from one cellular compartment and deliver it to another by fusing with the target organelle membrane. The Rab...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death01:11

Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death

Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...