title: FLASH links the CD95 signaling pathway to the cell nucleus and nuclear bodies.
abstract: Caspase-8-binding protein FLICE-associated huge protein (FLASH) has been proposed to regulate death receptor CD95-induced apoptosis through facilitating caspase-8 activation at the death-inducing signaling complex. Here, we found that FLASH interacts with the PML nuclear body component Sp100 and predominantly resides in the nucleus and nuclear bodies (NBs). In response to CD95 activation, FLASH leaves the NBs and translocates into the cytoplasm where it accumulates at mitochondria. The nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation of FLASH requires CD95-induced caspase activation and is facilitated by the Crm1-dependent nuclear export pathway. Downregulation of FLASH by RNA interference or inhibition of its nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling reduced CD95-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we show that the adenoviral anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member E1B19K traps FLASH and procaspase-8 in a ternary complex at mitochondria, thereby blocking CD95-induced caspase-8 activation. Knock-down of Sp100 potentiated CD95-activated apoptosis through enhancing nucleo-cytoplasmic FLASH translocation. In summary, our findings suggest that CD95 signals via a previously unrecognized nuclear pathway mediated by nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation of FLASH.
authors.affiliation: Heinrich-Pette-Institut für Experimentelle Virologie und Immunologie, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristijana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Milovic-Holm
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krieghoff
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Will
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006801:Humans; D045586:Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D028884:Karyopherins / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000502:physiology*; D000097606:Exportin 1 Protein
chemical_list: D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001324:Autoantigens; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D053181:Caspase 8; D028884:Karyopherins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D019014:fas Receptor; D000097606:Exportin 1 Protein; C485604:CASP8AP2 protein, human; C066642:SP100 protein, human