Formation of high molecular weight caspase-3 complex in neonatal rat brain.
Caspase-3 plays an essential role in normal brain development. Recently, a large protein complex known as apoptosome, which catalyzes the activation of caspase-3, has been reported. To investigate structural characteristics of caspase-3 in the developing brain, rat neonatal cortex extract was analysed by gel filtration chromatography. We show here the formation of high molecular complex including procaspase-3 in the extract. When the extract was activated by cytochrome c, caspase-3 recruitment to the apoptosome was not observed, although apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), caspase-9, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) existed in the apoptosome. These results indicate that procaspase-3 exists as a high molecular weight complex during brain development.
Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Kazuhide
K
Kurosu
Makio
M
Saeki
Yoshinori
Y
Kamisaki
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases