Caspase 9 activation by the dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase, PKR: molecular mechanism and relevance
- 17 September 2002
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in FEBS Letters
- Vol. 529 (2-3) , 249-255
- https://doi.org/10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03348-3
Abstract
The double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) induces apoptosis by activation of the FADD/caspase 8 pathway. Here we show that upon PKR expression, caspase 9 is processed and activated, correlating with the translocation of cytochrome c to the cytoplasm and breakdown of mitochondrial potential upon Bax insertion. However, treatment of cells with an inhibitor of caspase 9 could not prevent PKR-induced apoptosis. During PKR-induced apoptosis, caspase 9 is activated downstream of caspase 8. Our findings revealed that caspase 9, although dispensable, is a mediator of PKR-induced cell death.Keywords
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