Investigation of Novel Human CED-4 Homolog NAC-X in Apoptosis Regulation of Breast Cancer
Abstract
Proteins containing a Caspase-Associated Recruitment Domain (CARD) have previously been shown to serve as key regulators of tumor cell survival as well as regulators of other cellular processes, such as cytokine production. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1Beta) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been found to be associated with more aggressive and invasive breast tumors. Previous work (year 1) focused on the initial cloning and functional characterization of NAC-X (now named CLAN), a novel protein containing CARD, NACHT and LRR domains. NAC-X was previously found to regulate caspase-1 and IL-1Beta activation, more recent experiments have determined that NAC-X may also affect the functions of other NACHT-containing proteins via heterotypic associations through its NACHT domain. Furthermore, NAC-X was found to elicit an inflammatory response in macrophages following exposure to the bacterial component LPS, suggesting a role for this gene in the innate immune system. It remains to be determined whether NAC-X-mediated IL-1Beta secretion may function as a growth or survival factor in breast tumors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA416513
Entities
People
- Jason S. Damiano
Organizations
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute