title: Activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway by overexpression of caspase-8 and its homologs.
abstract: Caspase-8 is the most proximal caspase in the caspase cascade and possesses a prodomain consisting of two homologous death effector domains (DEDs). We have discovered that caspase-8 and its homologs can physically interact with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor family members and activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, or stress-activated protein kinase) pathway. This ability resides in the DED-containing prodomain of these proteins and is independent of their role as cell death proteases. A point mutant in the first DED of caspase-8 can block JNK activation induced by several death domain receptors. Inhibition of JNK activation blocks apoptosis mediated by caspase-10, Mach-related inducer of toxicity/cFLIP, and Fas/CD95, thereby suggesting a cooperative role of this pathway in the mediation of caspase-induced apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235-8593, USA. choudhary@simmons.swmed.edu
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Eby
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jasmin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D051379:Mice; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D011485:Protein Binding; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism; D014764:Viral Proteins
chemical_list: D019013:CD40 Antigens; D015843:Serpins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D004247:DNA; C074641:interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme inhibitor; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C505530:CASP8 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; C505526:Casp8 protein, mouse; C506434:Casp9 protein, mouse; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases