Caspase-2 short isoform interacts with membrane-associated cytoskeleton proteins to inhibit apoptosis

PLoS One. 2013 Jul 1;8(7):e67033. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067033. Print 2013.

Abstract

Caspase-2 (casp-2) is the most conserved caspase across species, and is one of the initiator caspases activated by various stimuli. The casp-2 gene produces several alternative splicing isoforms. It is believed that the long isoform, casp-2L, promotes apoptosis, whereas the short isoform, casp-2S, inhibits apoptosis. The actual effect of casp-2S on apoptosis is still controversial, however, and the underlying mechanism for casp-2S-mediated apoptosis inhibition is unclear. Here, we analyzed the effects of casp-2S on DNA damage induced apoptosis through "gain-of-function" and "loss-of-function" strategies in ovarian cancer cell lines. We clearly demonstrated that the over-expression of casp-2S inhibited, and the knockdown of casp-2S promoted, the cisplatin-induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. To explore the mechanism by which casp-2S mediates apoptosis inhibition, we analyzed the proteins which interact with casp-2S in cells by using immunoprecipitation (IP) and mass spectrometry. We have identified two cytoskeleton proteins, Fodrin and α-Actinin 4, which interact with FLAG-tagged casp-2S in HeLa cells and confirmed this interaction through reciprocal IP. We further demonstrated that casp-2S (i) is responsible for inhibiting DNA damage-induced cytoplasmic Fodrin cleavage independent of cellular p53 status, and (ii) prevents cisplatin-induced membrane blebbing. Taken together, our data suggests that casp-2S affects cellular apoptosis through its interaction with membrane-associated cytoskeletal Fodrin protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Caspase 2 / genetics
  • Caspase 2 / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovary / drug effects
  • Ovary / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • fodrin
  • Caspase 2
  • Cisplatin