title: Acetylcholinesterase plays a pivotal role in apoptosome formation.
abstract: Although a recent study (Zhang et al. Cell Death Differ 2002; 9; 790-800) presented that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) might be an important common component in leading to various types of apoptosis, the molecular mechanism, by which AChE functions, had remained elusive before that study. We explored the role of AChE in apoptosis by silencing the AChE gene. Silencing of the AChE gene abolished the expression of AChE and prevented caspase-9 activation, decrease of cell viability, nuclear condensation and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage but not mitochondrial events. Importantly, silencing of the AChE gene blocked the interaction between apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 and cytochrome c. Here we propose that AChE plays a pivotal role in the formation of apoptosome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (BK21 program), Dong-A University College of Medicine and Medical Science Research Center, Seo Gu, Busan, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Nam Deuk
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000494:pharmacology; D020868:Gene Silencing; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C506592:APAF1 protein, human; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D011506:Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D005047:Etoposide; D045304:Cytochromes c; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases