title: Comparative gene identification-94--a pivotal regulator of apoptosis.
abstract: Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is carried out by proteins that are designed to kill the cell during normal mammalian development and tissue homeostasis. Cell death by apoptosis comprises a sequence of events leading to the activation of caspases which execute the fragmentation of the cellular protein and DNA leading to disintegration of the cell. This physiological neuronal apoptosis allows the nervous system to eliminate excess neurons. In addition, apoptotic cell death occurs in a variety of neuronal degeneration such as Alzheimer's disease. Here we describe second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases/Diablo as a new interacting protein of CGI-94 (comparative gene identification-94) which itself is probably involved in degenerative processes of Alzheimer's disease. Our findings that CGI-94 interacts with second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases/Diablo, inhibits nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth and that its neuronal expression leads to cell death point to its pivotal role in the control of cellular survival. In conclusion, CGI-94 appears to be involved in processes of neuronal degeneration.
authors.affiliation: BF Research Institute, Inc, c/o National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-0873, Japan. heesek@silver.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heese
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C452380:Utp11 protein, rat