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Updated: May 11, 2026

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death
Published on: January 20, 2023
MUDENG is cleaved by caspase-3 during TRAIL-induced cell death
Jin Na Shin1, Ji Hye Han, Ji-Young Kim
1Department of Biochemistry, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwang-Ju, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
MUDENG, also known as AP5M1, was originally identified as an adaptin domain-containing gene that induced cell death in lymphoma cell lines. However, little is known of the mechanism responsible for MUDENG-mediated cell death. In this study, we investigated MUDENG changes during TRAIL-induced cell death. We found that MUDENG is rapidly processed in response to TRAIL in Jurkat and BJAB cells with time line similar to that of caspase activation. Caspase-3-mediated MUDENG cleavage was confirmed by an in vitro cleavage assay using recombinant active caspase proteins. Caspase cleavage sites (D276 and D290) were located in the adaptin domain of MUDENG, and cleaved MUDENG showed the reduced killing activity. These results suggest that the adaptin domain plays a key role in MUDENG-mediated cell death.
Insights
MUDENG (AP5M1) is processed by caspase-3 during TRAIL-induced cell death. This cleavage, occurring in its adaptin domain, reduces MUDENG
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Death Pathways
- Apoptosis Research
Background:
- MUDENG (AP5M1) is an adaptin domain-containing gene linked to lymphoma cell death.
- The precise mechanism of MUDENG-mediated cell death remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MUDENG protein alterations during Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death.
- To elucidate the role of MUDENG processing in apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of MUDENG processing in Jurkat and BJAB cells upon TRAIL stimulation.
- In vitro cleavage assays using recombinant active caspase proteins to confirm caspase-3 mediation.
- Identification of specific caspase cleavage sites within the MUDENG adaptin domain.
Main Results:
- MUDENG undergoes rapid processing in response to TRAIL, correlating with caspase activation.
- Caspase-3 was confirmed as the enzyme responsible for MUDENG cleavage.
- Identified caspase cleavage sites at D276 and D290 within the MUDENG adaptin domain.
- Cleaved MUDENG exhibited diminished cell-killing activity.
Conclusions:
- The adaptin domain of MUDENG is crucial for its cell death-inducing function.
- Caspase-3-mediated cleavage of MUDENG regulates its apoptotic activity.
- MUDENG processing is a key event in TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
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