Control of the cell death pathway by Dapaf-1, a Drosophila Apaf-1/CED-4-related caspase activator

Hirotaka Kanuka, Kazunobu Sawamoto, Naohiro Inohara, Kenji Matsuno, Hideyuki Okano, Masayuki Miura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

214 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We identified a Drosophila Apaf-1/CED-4 homolog gene, dapaf-1. Alternative splicing results in two dapaf-1 mRNA species, which encode distinct forms of caspase activator, Dapaf-1L (Apaf-1 type) and Dapaf-1S (CED-4 type). Distinct caspases were activated by these Dapaf-1 isoforms. Loss of Dapaf-1 function resulted in defective cytochrome c-dependent caspase activities and reduced apoptosis in embryo and in larval brain. Dapaf-1 activities were also involved in cell death induced by ectopic expression of reaper in the compound eye. These data suggest that Dapaf-1/cytochrome c-dependent cell death-inducing machinery is present in Drosophila, and the requirement of Dapaf-1/Apaf-1 in neural cell death is conserved through evolution.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)757-769
Number of pages13
JournalMolecular Cell
Volume4
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999 Nov
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Control of the cell death pathway by Dapaf-1, a Drosophila Apaf-1/CED-4-related caspase activator'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this