The small GTPase Cdc42 initiates an apoptotic signaling pathway in Jurkat T lymphocytes.
Apoptosis plays an important role in regulating development and homeostasis of the immune system, yet the elements of the signaling pathways that control cell death have not been well defined. When expressed in Jurkat T cells, an activated form of the small GTPase Cdc42 induces cell death exhibiting the characteristics of apoptosis. The death response induced by Cdc42 is mediated by activation of a protein kinase cascade leading to stimulation of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK). Apoptosis initiated by Cdc42 is inhibited by dominant negative components of the JNK cascade and by reagents that block activity of the ICE protease (caspase) family, suggesting that stimulation of the JNK kinase cascade can lead to caspase activation. The sequence of morphological events observed typically in apoptotic cells is modified in the presence of activated Cdc42, suggesting that this GTPase may account for some aspects of cytoskeletal regulation during the apoptotic program. These data suggest a means through which the biochemical and morphological events occurring during apoptosis may be coordinately regulated.
Chuang
T H
TH
Department of Immunology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Hahn
K M
KM
Lee
J D
JD
Danley
D E
DE
Bokoch
G M
GM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020170:Caspase 1; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); C086290:guanosine phosphotransferase; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases; D020170:Caspase 1; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein