Apaf-1 protein deficiency confers resistance to cytochrome c-dependent apoptosis in human leukemic cells

Blood. 2001 Jul 15;98(2):414-21. doi: 10.1182/blood.v98.2.414.

Abstract

The human leukemia cell lines K562, CEM, CEM/VLB(100), human leukemic blasts, and the bladder cancer J82 cell line have different sensitivities to UV light-induced apoptosis. It is reported that resistance to UV light-induced apoptosis occurs at a point in the apoptotic pathway upstream of caspase-3 but downstream of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. It is demonstrated that the block is due to deficiency of Apaf-1, a critical member of the apoptosome. Sensitivity to apoptosis was independent of caspase-9b or XIAP (inhibitors of apoptosis proteins) expression or levels of procaspase-9. Transfection of Apaf-1 conferred sensitivity to apoptosis in resistant cells. Apaf-1 deficiency may constitute a significant mode of resistance to apoptosis in human leukemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases / analysis
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism*
  • Cytochrome c Group / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Granzymes
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism
  • Proteins / analysis*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / immunology
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein

Substances

  • APAF1 protein, human
  • Antibodies
  • Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Protein Precursors
  • Proteins
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
  • XIAP protein, human
  • GZMB protein, human
  • Granzymes
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases