Starfish Apaf-1 activates effector caspase-3/9 upon apoptosis of aged eggs

Ritsuko Tamura, Mariko Takada, Miki Sakaue, Ayaka Yoshida, Shirabe Ohi, Kaoru Hirano, Tomoyo Hayakawa, Noritaka Hirohashi, Kei Yura, Kazuyoshi Chiba*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Caspase-3-related DEVDase activity is initiated upon apoptosis in unfertilized starfish eggs. In this study, we cloned a starfish procaspase-3 corresponding to mammalian effector caspase containing a CARD that is similar to the amino terminal CARD of mammalian capsase-9, and we named it procaspase-3/9. Recombinant procaspase-3/9 expressed at 15 °C was cleaved to form active caspase-3/9 which has DEVDase activity. Microinjection of the active caspase-3/9 into starfish oocytes/eggs induced apoptosis. An antibody against the recombinant protein recognized endogenous procaspase-3/9 in starfish oocytes, which was cleaved upon apoptosis in aged unfertilized eggs. These results indicate that caspase-3/9 is an effector caspase in starfish. To verify the mechanism of caspase-3/9 activation, we cloned starfish Apaf-1 containing a CARD, a NOD, and 11 WD40 repeat regions, and we named it sfApaf-1. Recombinant sfApaf-1 CARD interacts with recombinant caspase-3/9 CARD and with endogenous procaspase-3/9 in cell-free preparations made from starfish oocytes, causing the formation of active caspase-3/9. When the cell-free preparation without mitochondria was incubated with inactive recombinant procaspase-3/9 expressed at 37 °C, DEVDase activity increased and apoptosome-like complexes were formed in the high molecular weight fractions containing both sfApaf-1 and cleaved caspase-3/9. These results suggest that sfApaf-1 activation is not dependent on cytochrome c.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1611
JournalScientific reports
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Dec 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Starfish Apaf-1 activates effector caspase-3/9 upon apoptosis of aged eggs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this