Acetylcholinesterase plays a pivotal role in apoptosome formation.
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.
Park
Sang Eun
SE
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (BK21 program), Dong-A University College of Medicine and Medical Science Research Center, Seo Gu, Busan, South Korea.
Kim
Nam Deuk
ND
Yoo
Young Hyun
YH
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
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