Abstract
Bax Inhibitor-1 (BI-1) is an evolutionally conserved apoptotic suppressor and belongs to the BI-1 family of proteins, which contain BI-1-like transmembrane domains. As their cellular functions and regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood, we compared their anti-apoptotic properties. Forced expression of BI-1 resulted in the most effective suppression of stress-induced apoptosis, compared with other family members, together with significant extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation. BI-1-mediated ERK1/2 activation led to the suppression of mitochondria-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Involvement of the ERK signaling pathway in BI-1-induced anti-apoptotic effects was confirmed by knockdown studies with ERK- or BI-1-specific siRNA. Moreover, we produced transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing BI-1, and the relationship between ERK1/2 activation and the suppression of ROS production or apoptosis was confirmed in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells derived from these mice. Interestingly, we found that BI-1 TG mice showed splenomegaly and abnormal megakaryopoiesis. Taken together, our results suggest that BI-1-induced ERK1/2 activation plays an important role in the modulation of intracellular ROS generation and apoptotic cell death and may also affect autoimmune response.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 876-888 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Cell Research |
Volume | 1823 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Autoimmune response
- Bax inhibitor-1
- BI-1 family protein
- ERK1/2
- Splenomegaly