Identification and characterization of ICH-2, a novel member of the interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme family of cysteine proteases.
Interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) is a cytoplasmic cysteine protease required for generating the bioactive form of the interleukin-1 beta cytokine from its inactive precursor. We report the identification of ICH-2, a novel human gene encoding a member of the ICE cysteine protease family, and characterization of its protein product. ICH-2 mRNA is widely expressed in human tissues in a pattern similar to, but distinct from, that of ICE. Overexpression of ICH-2 in insect cells induces apoptosis. Purified ICH-2 is functional as a protease in vitro. A comparison of the inhibitor profiles and substrate cleavage by ICH-2 and ICE shows that the enzymes share catalytic properties but may differ in substrate specificities, suggesting that the two enzymes have different functions in vivo.
Kamens
J
J
BASF Bioresearch Corporation, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA.
Paskind
M
M
Hugunin
M
M
Talanian
R V
RV
Allen
H
H
Banach
D
D
Bump
N
N
Hackett
M
M
Johnston
C G
CG
Li
P
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae; D001483:Base Sequence; D020170:Caspase 1; D002460:Cell Line; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012275:Oryza; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D018411:Spodoptera; D014162:Transfection
D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D020170:Caspase 1