Apoptosome: the cellular engine for the activation of caspase-9.
Characterization of the apoptosome by cryo-EM reveals a wheel-shaped heptameric assembly involving Apaf-1 and cytochrome c. This structure provides a framework for understanding the activation mechanisms of caspase-9, an important initiator caspase in apoptosis.
Shi
Yigong
Y
Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Princeton University, New Jersey 08544, USA. yshi@molbio.princeton.edu
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000737:chemistry*; D019281:Dimerization; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*
D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D011506:Proteins; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases