A conserved domain in Bak, distinct from BH1 and BH2, mediates cell death and protein binding functions - PubMed (original) (raw)

A conserved domain in Bak, distinct from BH1 and BH2, mediates cell death and protein binding functions

T Chittenden et al. EMBO J. 1995.

Abstract

Regulation of the cell death program involves physical interactions between different members of the Bcl-2 family that either promote or suppress apoptosis. The Bcl-2 homolog, Bak, promotes apoptosis and binds anti-apoptotic family members including Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. We have identified a domain in Bak that is both necessary and sufficient for cytotoxic activity and binding to Bcl-xL. Sequences similar to this domain were identified in Bax and Bip1, two other proteins that promote apoptosis and interact with Bcl-xL, and were likewise critical for their capacity to kill cells and bind Bcl-xL. Thus, the domain is of central importance in mediating the function of multiple cell death-regulatory proteins that interact with Bcl-2 family members.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Cell. 1985 Jul;41(3):899-906 - PubMed
    1. Cell. 1993 Nov 19;75(4):653-60 - PubMed
    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Nov;82(21):7439-43 - PubMed
    1. Virology. 1987 Sep;160(1):151-61 - PubMed
    1. Gene. 1988 Jul 15;67(1):31-40 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources