AMID, an apoptosis-inducing factor-homologous mitochondrion-associated protein, induces caspase-independent apoptosis.
Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a mitochondrial flavoprotein that triggers caspase-independent apoptosis. We describe here the cloning and characterization of a novel AIF-homologous molecule designated AMID (AIF-homologous mitochondrion-associated inducer of death). AMID lacks a mitochondrial localization sequence but shares significant homology with AIF and NADH oxidoreductases from bacteria to mammalian species. Immunofluorescent staining and biochemical experiments indicated that AMID was co-localized with mitochondria. Overexpression of AMID induced cell death with characteristic apoptotic morphology. Furthermore, AMID-induced apoptosis was independent of caspase activation and p53 and was not inhibited by Bcl-2. These findings suggest that AMID induces a novel caspase-independent apoptotic pathway.
Wu
Min
M
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Xu
Liang-Guo
LG
Li
Xiaoyan
X
Zhai
Zhonghe
Z
Shu
Hong-Bing
HB
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
C462504:ferroptosis suppressor protein 1, human; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D020169:Caspases