HBXIP functions as a cofactor of survivin in apoptosis suppression

EMBO J. 2003 Jun 2;22(11):2729-40. doi: 10.1093/emboj/cdg263.

Abstract

Survivin is an anti-apoptotic protein that is overexpressed in most human cancers. We show that survivin forms complexes with a cellular protein, hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP), which was originally recognized for its association with the X protein of hepatitis B virus (HBX). Survivin-HBXIP complexes, but neither survivin nor HBXIP individually, bind pro-caspase-9, preventing its recruitment to Apaf1, and thereby selectively suppressing apoptosis initiated via the mitochondria/cytochrome c pathway. Viral HBX protein also interacts with the survivin- HBXIP complex and suppresses caspase activation in a survivin-dependent manner. Thus, HBXIP functions as a cofactor for survivin, and serves as a link between the cellular apoptosis machinery and a viral pathogen involved in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Enzyme Activation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / physiopathology
  • Hepatitis B virus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Survivin
  • Trans-Activators / physiology
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / physiology*
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins

Substances

  • APAF1 protein, human
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1
  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • LAMTOR5 protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Survivin
  • Trans-Activators
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • hepatitis B virus X protein
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases