FLASH is an essential component of Cajal bodies.
Cajal bodies are small nuclear organelles with a number of nuclear functions. Here we show that FLICE-associated huge protein (FLASH), originally described as a component of the apoptosis signaling pathway, is mainly localized in Cajal bodies and is essential for their structure. Reduction in FLASH expression by short hairpin RNA results in disruption of the normal architecture of the Cajal body and relocalization of its components. Because the function of FLASH in the apoptosis receptor signaling pathway has been strongly questioned, we have now identified a clear function for this protein.
Barcaroli
D
D
Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom.
Dinsdale
D
D
Neale
M H
MH
Bongiorno-Borbone
L
L
Ranalli
M
M
Munarriz
E
E
Sayan
A E
AE
McWilliam
J M
JM
Smith
T M
TM
Fava
E
E
Knight
R A
RA
Melino
G
G
De Laurenzi
V
V
D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020541:Coiled Bodies / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D021381:Protein Transport; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C485604:CASP8AP2 protein, human; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C068921:p80-coilin