Caspase-9, caspase-3 and caspase-7 have distinct roles during intrinsic apoptosis

By Matthew Brentnall, Luis Rodriguez-Menocal, R. L. De Guevara, E. Cepero, L. Boise. BMC Cell Biology, 2013

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BackgroundApoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is regulated by the Bcl-2 family and caspase family of proteins. The caspase cascade responsible for executing cell death following cytochrome c release is well described; however the distinct roles of caspases-9, -3 and -7 during this process are not completely defined.ResultsHere we demonstrate several unique functions for each of these caspases during cell death. Specific inhibition of caspase-9 allows for efficient release of cytochrome c, but blocks changes in mitochondrial morphology and ROS production. We show that caspase-9 can cleave Bid into tBid at amino acid 59 and that this cleavage of Bid is required for ROS production following serum withdrawal. We also demonstrate that caspase-3-deficient MEFs are less sensitive to intrinsic cell death stimulation, yet have higher ROS production. In contrast, caspase-7-deficient MEFs are not resistance to intrinsic cell death, but remain attached to the ECM.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggest that caspase-9 is required for mitochondrial morphological changes and ROS production by cleaving and activating Bid into tBid. After activation by caspase-9, caspase-3 inhibits ROS production and is required for efficient execution of apoptosis, while effector caspase-7 is required for apoptotic cell detachment.

Subfields: Immunology, Molecular Biology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/b66f2f115699c0dce70fa5bc58d19fef8c3cc4ec