CED-4 is an mRNA-binding protein that delivers ced-3 mRNA to ribosomes

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2016 Jan 29;470(1):48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.12.102. Epub 2015 Dec 29.

Abstract

Cell death abnormal (ced)-3 and ced-4 genes regulate apoptosis to maintain tissue homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Apoptosome formation and CED-4 translocation drive CED-3 activation. However, the precise role of CED-4 translocation is not yet fully understood. In this study, using a combination of immunoprecipitation and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction methods in cells and a glutathione-S-transferase pull down assay in a cell-free system, we show that CED-4 binds ced-3 mRNA. In the presence of ced-3 mRNA, CED-4 protein is enriched in the microsomal fraction and interacts with ribosomal protein L10a in mammalian cells, increasing the levels of CED-3. These results suggest that CED-4 forms a complex with ced-3 mRNA and delivers it to ribosomes for translation.

Keywords: Apoptosis; L10a; RNA binding protein; Translation; Translocation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Caspases / genetics*
  • Caspases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Ced-4 protein, C elegans
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Caspases
  • ced-3 protein, C elegans