Bax345/BLyS: a novel, completely human fusion protein targeting malignant B cells and delivering a unique mitochondrial toxin

Cancer Lett. 2012 Sep 28;322(2):159-68. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.02.029. Epub 2012 Mar 1.

Abstract

We generated a fusion protein Bax(345)/BLyS containing the truncated form of Bax (Bax(345)) at the N-terminus followed by a 218 linker to the B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). Bax(345)/BLyS was cytotoxic to a panel of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma lines expressing the BLyS receptors. Specific delivery of Bax(345)/BLyS to malignant B cells drove cells into apoptosis by mitochondrial dysfunction and treatment of cells with Bax(345)/BLyS induced down-regulation of Mcl-1, X-IAP, and survivin. Bax(345)/BLyS represents a new class of targeted therapeutic agents with a unique mechanism of action and may have therapeutic potential for malignant B cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism
  • Gene Order
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / toxicity*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics*

Substances

  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Bax345-BLyS fusion protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Cytochromes c