Reaper-Induced Cytochrome C Release

Abstract

Apoptosis is a program of cellular suicide which leads to the removal of damaged or superfluous cells without damaging overall tissue architecture. This grant concerns apoptotic induction by a 65 amino acid protein called Reaper form Drosophila melanogaster. Reaper was originally identified in a screen for critical apoptotic regulators in flies and it was later shown by our lab and others the Reaper can induce cell death upon ectopic expression in cells of both lepidopteran and vertebrate origin. In characterizing Reaper using our cell free apoptotic reconstitution system derived from Xenopus eggs, we identified a Reaper-interacting protein called Scythe that promoted cytochrome c release form the mitochondria. The goal of the proposed research has been to determine the mechanism whereby Reaper and Scythe cooperate to induce mitochondrial cytochrome c release and eventual cell death.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA424527

Entities

People

  • Michael R. Olson

Organizations

  • Duke University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Albumins
  • Amino Acids
  • Animal Structures
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Culture Techniques
  • Diptera
  • Fungi
  • Genetic Code
  • Genetics
  • Insects
  • Programmed Cell Death
  • Proteins
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics