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Juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1: A factor involved in vitamin K-induced apoptosis

Naoya Yasuda1, Yuri Haneishi1, Yuri Tanioka1

  • 1Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies, Department of International Food and Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1, Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-0054, Japan.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin K2 (VK2) induces cancer cell death by modifying the Bak1 protein. This study identifies JAZF1 as essential for this VK2ation process and VK2-induced apoptosis, clarifying VK2

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Vitamin K2 (VK2) exhibits anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis.
  • The epoxide metabolite of VK2 (VK2-O) covalently modifies Bak1 via VK2ation, initiating apoptosis.
  • The upstream regulation of VK2ation and VK2-induced apoptosis was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the upstream regulator of VK2ation and VK2-induced apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanism of Vitamin K2's anticancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Live-cell imaging to confirm JAZF1 and Bak1 interaction.
  • Functional assays to assess JAZF1's role in VK2ation and apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1 (JAZF1) was identified as a key regulator.
  • A VK2-O dependent interaction between JAZF1 and Bak1 was confirmed in live cells.
  • JAZF1 is essential for Bak1 VK2ation and subsequent VK2-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • JAZF1 is an indispensable component of the VK2ation post-translational modification.
  • This study clarifies the molecular mechanism of VK2's anticancer activity.
  • Findings advance the development of Vitamin K2-based cancer therapeutics.
Keywords:
ApoptosisBak1Juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1VK2ationVitamin K2

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