title: PARL paves the way to apoptosis.
abstract: Although the mitochondrial inner membrane rhomboid peptidase PARL is known to participate in critical signalling cascades, its role in apoptosis has remained unclear. PARL is now shown to process the mitochondrial pro-apoptotic protein Smac (also known as DIABLO) for its subsequent release into the cytosol where it antagonizes XIAP-mediated caspase inhibition to promote apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Protein Biochemistry, Institute of Life Science, Kurume University, Kurume 839-0864, Japan.
authors.forename: Naotada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mihara
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008928:Mitochondria; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases