The BH3-only protein Bad is dispensable for TNF-mediated cell death

E Ottina1, M Sochalska1, R Sgonc2

  • 1Division of Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Cell Death & Disease
|January 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) triggers cell death pathways. While Bad protein was thought to be crucial for TNF-mediated apoptosis, genetic studies show it is not essential for this process.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular mechanisms of cell death

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a critical mediator of immune and inflammatory responses.
  • TNF signaling can induce both apoptosis and necroptosis.
  • TNF-induced apoptosis involves pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, including Bid, a substrate of caspase-8.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the BH3 domain-containing protein Bad in TNF-mediated cell death.
  • To determine if Bad is rate-limiting or synergistic with Bid in TNF-induced apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analyses of TNF-mediated cell death pathways.
  • Examination of the involvement of Bcl-2 family proteins.

Main Results:

  • The BH3 domain-containing protein Bad is not essential for TNF-mediated cell death.
  • Genetic analyses demonstrate Bad's dispensability in this process, contrary to recent suggestions of it being rate-limiting.

Conclusions:

  • Bad is dispensable for TNF-mediated apoptotic cell death.
  • The role of Bad in TNF signaling requires further clarification, as it does not appear to be rate-limiting.

Related Concept Videos

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
9.3K
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The...
10.9K
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...
9.5K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
11.1K
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR...
3.0K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
821