Identification of the novel substrates for caspase-6 in apoptosis using proteomic approaches

BMB Rep. 2013 Dec;46(12):588-93. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2013.46.12.081.

Abstract

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is a process involved in the development and maintenance of cell homeostasis in multicellular organisms. It is typically accompanied by the activation of a class of cysteine proteases called caspases. Apoptotic caspases are classified into the initiator caspases and the executioner caspases, according to the stage of their action in apoptotic processes. Although caspase-3, a typical executioner caspase, has been studied for its mechanism and substrates, little is known of caspase-6, one of the executioner caspases. To understand the biological functions of caspase-6, we performed proteomics analyses, to seek for novel caspase-6 substrates, using recombinant caspase-6 and HepG2 extract. Consequently, 34 different candidate proteins were identified, through 2-dimensional electrophoresis/MALDI-TOF analyses. Of these identified proteins, 8 proteins were validated with in vitro and in vivo cleavage assay. Herein, we report that HAUSP, Kinesin5B, GEP100, SDCCAG3 and PARD3 are novel substrates for caspase-6 during apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Caspase 6 / chemistry
  • Caspase 6 / genetics
  • Caspase 6 / metabolism*
  • Caspase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Caspase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Proteomics
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Caspase Inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Caspase 6