Acylphosphatase is a strong apoptosis inducer in HeLa cell line.
Acylphosphatase (AcP) is a low-molecular-weight protein widely distributed in many vertebrate tissues with a yet unknown physiologic function. To study the in vivo behavior of AcP, HeLa cells were transiently transfected with a vector expressing the AcP/EGFP fusion protein. Analysis of the transfected cells showed a high level of cellular death in cells expressing the AcP/EGFP fusion protein with respect to control cells expressing EGFP alone. Flow cytometry and time lapse analysis of AcP/EGFP transfected cells evidenced a typical pattern of apoptosis. Surprisingly, cells transfected with a mutated form of AcP, with negligible in vitro acylphosphatase activity, undergo apoptosis as well as cells transfected with wild-type protein, suggesting that the physiologic role of AcP could be not related to this catalytic activity.
Giannoni
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Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
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D016475:3T3 Cells; D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D051379:Mice; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D000097024:Acylphosphatase
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000097024:Acylphosphatase