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Real-time Live Imaging of T-cell Signaling Complex Formation
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Tandem DEDs and CARDs suggest novel mechanisms of signaling complex assembly

Yu-Chih Lo1, Su-Chang Lin, Chao-Yu Yang

  • 1Institute of Bioinformatics and Biosignal Transduction, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, gracelo@mail.ncku.edu.tw.

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death
|November 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Cellular homeostasis relies on apoptosis. This review explores how tandem death effector domains (DEDs) and caspase recruitment domains (CARDs) in signaling proteins regulate apoptosis, suggesting new assembly mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is crucial for cellular homeostasis, and its dysregulation is implicated in diseases like cancer and inflammatory disorders.
  • The death-induced signaling complex (DISC) is a key regulator of apoptosis, primarily controlled by death effector domain (DED)-containing proteins.
  • Seven DED-containing proteins exist in humans, including FADD, c-FLIP, caspase-8, and caspase-10, which utilize tandem DEDs for signaling complex formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent structural studies on DED-containing proteins.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of signaling complex assembly involving tandem DEDs and tandem CARDs.
  • To highlight potential new mechanisms for regulating apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent structural studies.
  • Analysis of protein structures focusing on DED and CARD domains.
  • Discussion of signaling complex formation and assembly mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Tandem DEDs are critical for DISC formation and regulation.
  • Caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing proteins share structural similarities with DED proteins.
  • Recent structural data reveal tandem CARDs are essential for helical signaling complex formation.

Conclusions:

  • Structural insights into DED and CARD domains provide a basis for understanding signaling complex assembly.
  • Tandem DEDs and CARDs suggest novel mechanisms for regulating apoptosis.
  • Further research into these domains can illuminate pathways involved in disease.

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