1
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Beigl TB, Paul A, Fellmeth TP, Nguyen D, Barber L, Weller S, Schäfer B, Gillissen BF, Aulitzky WE, Kopp HG, Rehm M, Andrews DW, Pluhackova K, Essmann F. BCL-2 and BOK regulate apoptosis by interaction of their C-terminal transmembrane domains. EMBO Rep 2024:10.1038/s44319-024-00206-6. [PMID: 39048751 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The Bcl-2 family controls apoptosis by direct interactions of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. The principle mechanism is binding of the BH3 domain of pro-apoptotic proteins to the hydrophobic groove of anti-apoptotic siblings, which is therapeutically exploited by approved BH3-mimetic anti-cancer drugs. Evidence suggests that also the transmembrane domain (TMD) of Bcl-2 proteins can mediate Bcl-2 interactions. We developed a highly-specific split luciferase assay enabling the analysis of TMD interactions of pore-forming apoptosis effectors BAX, BAK, and BOK with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in living cells. We confirm homotypic interaction of the BAX-TMD, but also newly identify interaction of the TMD of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 with the TMD of BOK, a peculiar pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. BOK-TMD and BCL-2-TMD interact at the endoplasmic reticulum. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm dynamic BOK-TMD and BCL-2-TMD dimers and stable heterotetramers. Mutation of BCL-2-TMD at predicted key residues abolishes interaction with BOK-TMD. Also, inhibition of BOK-induced apoptosis by BCL-2 depends specifically on their TMDs. Thus, TMDs of Bcl-2 proteins are a relevant interaction interface for apoptosis regulation and provide a novel potential drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias B Beigl
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alexander Paul
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas P Fellmeth
- Cluster of Excellence SimTech, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dang Nguyen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lynn Barber
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sandra Weller
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Bernhard F Gillissen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Tumorimmunology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany
- Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Markus Rehm
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - David W Andrews
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Frank Essmann
- Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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2
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Nguyen D, Osterlund E, Kale J, Andrews DW. The C-terminal sequences of Bcl-2 family proteins mediate interactions that regulate cell death. Biochem J 2024; 481:903-922. [PMID: 38985308 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Programmed cell death via the both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways is regulated by interactions of the Bcl-2 family protein members that determine whether the cell commits to apoptosis via mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Recently the conserved C-terminal sequences (CTSs) that mediate localization of Bcl-2 family proteins to intracellular membranes, have been shown to have additional protein-protein binding functions that contribute to the functions of these proteins in regulating MOMP. Here we review the pivotal role of CTSs in Bcl-2 family interactions including: (1) homotypic interactions between the pro-apoptotic executioner proteins that cause MOMP, (2) heterotypic interactions between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins that prevent MOMP, and (3) heterotypic interactions between the pro-apoptotic executioner proteins and the pro-apoptotic direct activator proteins that promote MOMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dang Nguyen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Osterlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Justin Kale
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - David W Andrews
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Gitego N, Agianian B, Mak OW, Kumar Mv V, Cheng EH, Gavathiotis E. Chemical modulation of cytosolic BAX homodimer potentiates BAX activation and apoptosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8381. [PMID: 38104127 PMCID: PMC10725471 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCL-2 family protein BAX is a major regulator of physiological and pathological cell death. BAX predominantly resides in the cytosol in a quiescent state and upon stress, it undergoes conformational activation and mitochondrial translocation leading to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, a critical event in apoptosis execution. Previous studies reported two inactive conformations of cytosolic BAX, a monomer and a dimer, however, it remains unclear how they regulate BAX. Here we show that, surprisingly, cancer cell lines express cytosolic inactive BAX dimers and/or monomers. Expression of inactive dimers, results in reduced BAX activation, translocation and apoptosis upon pro-apoptotic drug treatments. Using the inactive BAX dimer structure and a pharmacophore-based drug screen, we identify a small-molecule modulator, BDM19 that binds and activates cytosolic BAX dimers and prompts cells to apoptosis either alone or in combination with BCL-2/BCL-XL inhibitor Navitoclax. Our findings underscore the role of the cytosolic inactive BAX dimer in resistance to apoptosis and demonstrate a strategy to potentiate BAX-mediated apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadege Gitego
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Bogos Agianian
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Oi Wei Mak
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vasantha Kumar Mv
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Emily H Cheng
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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4
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Dehghan S, Kheshtchin N, Hassannezhad S, Soleimani M. Cell death classification: A new insight based on molecular mechanisms. Exp Cell Res 2023; 433:113860. [PMID: 38013091 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cells tend to disintegrate themselves or are forced to undergo such destructive processes in critical circumstances. This complex cellular function necessitates various mechanisms and molecular pathways in order to be executed. The very nature of cell death is essentially important and vital for maintaining homeostasis, thus any type of disturbing occurrence might lead to different sorts of diseases and dysfunctions. Cell death has various modalities and yet, every now and then, a new type of this elegant procedure gets to be discovered. The diversity of cell death compels the need for a universal organizing system in order to facilitate further studies, therapeutic strategies and the invention of new methods of research. Considering all that, we attempted to review most of the known cell death mechanisms and sort them all into one arranging system that operates under a simple but subtle decision-making (If \ Else) order as a sorting algorithm, in which it decides to place and sort an input data (a type of cell death) into its proper set, then a subset and finally a group of cell death. By proposing this algorithm, the authors hope it may solve the problems regarding newer and/or undiscovered types of cell death and facilitate research and therapeutic applications of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepehr Dehghan
- Department of Medical Basic Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Kheshtchin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Soleimani
- Department of Medical Basic Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Flores-Romero H, Dadsena S, García-Sáez AJ. Mitochondrial pores at the crossroad between cell death and inflammatory signaling. Mol Cell 2023; 83:843-856. [PMID: 36931255 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are cellular organelles with a major role in many cellular processes, including not only energy production, metabolism, and calcium homeostasis but also regulated cell death and innate immunity. Their proteobacterial origin makes them a rich source of potent immune agonists, normally hidden within the mitochondrial membrane barriers. Alteration of mitochondrial permeability through mitochondrial pores thus provides efficient mechanisms not only to communicate mitochondrial stress to the cell but also as a key event in the integration of cellular responses. In this regard, eukaryotic cells have developed diverse signaling networks that sense and respond to the release of mitochondrial components into the cytosol and play a key role in controlling cell death and inflammatory pathways. Modulating pore formation at mitochondria through direct or indirect mechanisms may thus open new opportunities for therapy. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the structure and molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial pores and how they function at the interface between cell death and inflammatory signaling to regulate cellular outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Flores-Romero
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Shashank Dadsena
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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6
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Gonzalo Ó, Benedi A, Vela L, Anel A, Naval J, Marzo I. Study of the Bcl-2 Interactome by BiFC Reveals Differences in the Activation Mechanism of Bax and Bak. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050800. [PMID: 36899936 PMCID: PMC10000386 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Evasion of apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Proteins of the Bcl-2 family are key regulators of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, and alterations in some of these proteins are frequently found in cancer cells. Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, regulated by pro- and antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, is essential for the release of apoptogenic factors leading to caspase activation, cell dismantlement, and death. Mitochondrial permeabilization depends on the formation of oligomers of the effector proteins Bax and Bak after an activation event mediated by BH3-only proteins and regulated by antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. In the present work, we have studied interactions between different members of the Bcl-2 family in living cells via the BiFC technique. Despite the limitations of this technique, present data suggest that native proteins of the Bcl-2 family acting inside living cells establish a complex network of interactions, which would fit nicely into "mixed" models recently proposed by others. Furthermore, our results point to differences in the regulation of Bax and Bak activation by proteins of the antiapoptotic and BH3-only subfamilies. We have also applied the BiFC technique to explore the different molecular models proposed for Bax and Bak oligomerization. Bax and Bak's mutants lacking the BH3 domain were still able to associate and give BiFC signals, suggesting the existence of alternative surfaces of interaction between two Bax or Bak molecules. These results agree with the widely accepted symmetric model for the dimerization of these proteins and also suggest that other regions, different from the α6 helix, could be involved in the oligomerization of BH3-in groove dimers.
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7
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Moldoveanu T. Apoptotic mitochondrial poration by a growing list of pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200221. [PMID: 36650950 PMCID: PMC9975053 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins are effectors of mitochondrial poration in apoptosis initiation. Two atypical effectors-BOK and truncated BID (tBID)-join the canonical effectors BAK and BAX. Gene knockout revealed developmental phenotypes in the absence the effectors, supporting their roles in vivo. During apoptosis effectors are activated and change shape from dormant monomers to dynamic oligomers that associate with and permeabilize mitochondria. BID is activated by proteolysis, BOK accumulates on inhibition of its degradation by the E3 ligase gp78, while BAK and BAX undergo direct activation by BH3-only initiators, autoactivation, and crossactivation. Except tBID, effector oligomers on the mitochondria appear as arcs and rings in super-resolution microscopy images. The BH3-in-groove dimers of BAK and BAX, the tBID monomers, and uncharacterized BOK species are the putative building blocks of apoptotic pores. Effectors interact with lipids and bilayers but the mechanism of membrane poration remains elusive. I discuss effector-mediated mitochondrial poration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Correspondence:
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8
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Pore-forming proteins as drivers of membrane permeabilization in cell death pathways. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 24:312-333. [PMID: 36543934 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00564-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD) relies on activation and recruitment of pore-forming proteins (PFPs) that function as executioners of specific cell death pathways: apoptosis regulator BAX (BAX), BCL-2 homologous antagonist/killer (BAK) and BCL-2-related ovarian killer protein (BOK) for apoptosis, gasdermins (GSDMs) for pyroptosis and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) for necroptosis. Inactive precursors of PFPs are converted into pore-forming entities through activation, membrane recruitment, membrane insertion and oligomerization. These mechanisms involve protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions, proteolytic processing and phosphorylation. In this Review, we discuss the structural rearrangements incurred by RCD-related PFPs and describe the mechanisms that manifest conversion from autoinhibited to membrane-embedded molecular states. We further discuss the formation and maturation of membrane pores formed by BAX/BAK/BOK, GSDMs and MLKL, leading to diverse pore architectures. Lastly, we highlight commonalities and differences of PFP mechanisms involving BAX/BAK/BOK, GSDMs and MLKL and conclude with a discussion on how, in a population of challenged cells, the coexistence of cell death modalities may have profound physiological and pathophysiological implications.
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9
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Zacharioudakis E, Gavathiotis E. Targeting protein conformations with small molecules to control protein complexes. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:1023-1037. [PMID: 35985943 PMCID: PMC9669135 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic protein complexes function in all cellular processes, from signaling to transcription, using distinct conformations that regulate their activity. Conformational switching of proteins can turn on or off their activity through protein-protein interactions, catalytic function, cellular localization, or membrane interaction. Recent advances in structural, computational, and chemical methodologies have enabled the discovery of small-molecule activators and inhibitors of conformationally dynamic proteins by using a more rational design than a serendipitous screening approach. Here, we discuss such recent examples, focusing on the mechanism of protein conformational switching and its regulation by small molecules. We emphasize the rational approaches to control protein oligomerization with small molecules that offer exciting opportunities for investigation of novel biological mechanisms and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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10
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Wolf P, Schoeniger A, Edlich F. Pro-apoptotic complexes of BAX and BAK on the outer mitochondrial membrane. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2022; 1869:119317. [PMID: 35752202 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms the regulated cell death apoptosis is critically important for both ontogeny and homeostasis. Mitochondria are indispensable for stress-induced apoptosis. The BCL-2 protein family controls mitochondrial apoptosis and initiates cell death through the pro-apoptotic activities of BAX and BAK at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Cellular survival is ensured by the retrotranslocation of mitochondrial BAX and BAK into the cytosol by anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins. BAX/BAK-dependent OMM permeabilization releases the mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt c), which initiates activation of caspase-9. The caspase cascade leads to cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic body formation. Although it is clear that ultimately complexes of active BAX and BAK commit the cell to apoptosis, the nature of these complexes is still enigmatic. Excessive research has described a range of complexes, varying from a few molecules to several 10,000, in different systems. BAX/BAK complexes potentially form ring-like structures that could expose the inner mitochondrial membrane. It has been suggested that these pores allow the efflux of small proteins and even mitochondrial DNA. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge for mitochondrial BAX/BAK complexes and the interactions between these proteins and the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wolf
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Axel Schoeniger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank Edlich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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11
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Protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions of pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins in apoptosis initiation. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1091-1103. [PMID: 35521828 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is a common cell death program that is important in human health and disease. Signaling in apoptosis is largely driven through protein-protein interactions. The BCL-2 family proteins function in protein-protein interactions as key regulators of mitochondrial poration, the process that initiates apoptosis through the release of cytochrome c, which activates the apoptotic caspase cascade leading to cellular demolition. The BCL-2 pore-forming proteins BAK and BAX are the key executors of mitochondrial poration. We review the state of knowledge of protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions governing the apoptotic function of BAK and BAX, as determined through X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy studies. BAK and BAX are dormant, globular α-helical proteins that participate in protein-protein interactions with other pro-death BCL-2 family proteins, transforming them into active, partially unfolded proteins that dimerize and associate with and permeabilize mitochondrial membranes. We compare the protein-protein interactions observed in high-resolution structures with those derived in silico by AlphaFold, making predictions based on combining experimental and in silico approaches to delineate the structural basis for novel protein-protein interaction complexes of BCL-2 family proteins.
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12
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Gelles JD, Mohammed JN, Chen Y, Sebastian TM, Chipuk JE. A kinetic fluorescence polarization ligand assay for monitoring BAX early activation. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100174. [PMID: 35419554 PMCID: PMC9004659 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Developmental, homeostatic, and pharmacological pro-apoptotic signals converge by activating the BCL-2 family member BAX. Studies investigating molecular regulation of BAX are commonly limited to methodologies measuring endpoint phenotypes and do not assess activation of monomeric BAX. Here, we present FLAMBE, a fluorescence polarization ligand assay for monitoring BAX early activation, that measures activation-induced release of a peptide probe in real time. Using complementary parallel and tandem biochemical techniques, we validate, corroborate, and apply FLAMBE to a contemporary repertoire of BAX modulators, characterizing their contributions within the early steps of BAX activation. Additionally, we use FLAMBE to reveal that historically "dead" BAX mutants remain responsive to activation as quasi-functional monomers. We also identify data metrics for comparative analyses and demonstrate that FLAMBE data align with downstream functional observations. Collectively, FLAMBE advances our understanding of BAX activation and fills a methodological void for studying BAX with broad applications in cell biology and therapeutic development. MOTIVATION In vitro BAX activation studies are invaluable platforms for studying cellular and pharmacological modulators of apoptosis. The gold standard for studying BAX function relies on membrane permeabilization assays, which assess the pore-forming activity of oligomeric BAX. However, there are currently no rapid or kinetic assays to interrogate real-time activation of monomeric BAX in solution, thereby limiting any molecular insights that occur upstream of mitochondrial permeabilization. Furthermore, available methods to observe the activation of monomeric BAX suffer from low throughput and static observations. To address this methodological gap, we developed FLAMBE, a kinetic fluorescence polarization-based assay to measure monomeric BAX activation in solution via concomitant displacement of a labeled peptide. This approach maintains the benefits of rapid kinetic data generation in a low-cost microplate format without requiring specialized equipment or large quantities of protein. FLAMBE compliments available experimental strategies and expands the accessibility of investigators to monitor early steps within the BAX activation continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Gelles
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jarvier N. Mohammed
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tara M. Sebastian
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jerry Edward Chipuk
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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13
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Physiological and pharmacological modulation of BAX. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:206-220. [PMID: 34848097 PMCID: PMC8840970 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) is a critical executioner of mitochondrial regulated cell death through its lethal activity of permeabilizing the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). While the physiological function of BAX ensures tissue homeostasis, dysregulation of BAX leads to aberrant cell death. Despite BAX being a promising therapeutic target for human diseases, historically the development of drugs has focused on antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, due to challenges in elucidating the mechanism of BAX activation and identifying druggable surfaces of BAX. Here, we discuss recent studies that have provided structure-function insights and identified regulatory surfaces that control BAX activation. Moreover, we emphasize the development of small molecule orthosteric, allosteric, and oligomerization modulators that provide novel opportunities for biological investigation and progress towards drugging BAX.
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14
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Jenner A, Peña-Blanco A, Salvador-Gallego R, Ugarte-Uribe B, Zollo C, Ganief T, Bierlmeier J, Mund M, Lee JE, Ries J, Schwarzer D, Macek B, Garcia-Saez AJ. DRP1 interacts directly with BAX to induce its activation and apoptosis. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108587. [PMID: 35023587 PMCID: PMC9016351 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The apoptotic executioner protein BAX and the dynamin‐like protein DRP1 co‐localize at mitochondria during apoptosis to mediate mitochondrial permeabilization and fragmentation. However, the molecular basis and functional consequences of this interplay remain unknown. Here, we show that BAX and DRP1 physically interact, and that this interaction is enhanced during apoptosis. Complex formation between BAX and DRP1 occurs exclusively in the membrane environment and requires the BAX N‐terminal region, but also involves several other BAX surfaces. Furthermore, the association between BAX and DRP1 enhances the membrane activity of both proteins. Forced dimerization of BAX and DRP1 triggers their activation and translocation to mitochondria, where they induce mitochondrial remodeling and permeabilization to cause apoptosis even in the absence of apoptotic triggers. Based on this, we propose that DRP1 can promote apoptosis by acting as noncanonical direct activator of BAX through physical contacts with its N‐terminal region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Jenner
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Aida Peña-Blanco
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Begoña Ugarte-Uribe
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Cristiana Zollo
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tariq Ganief
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jan Bierlmeier
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus Mund
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jonas Ries
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Schwarzer
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Boris Macek
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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15
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Risner ML, Pasini S, McGrady NR, Calkins DJ. Bax Contributes to Retinal Ganglion Cell Dendritic Degeneration During Glaucoma. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1366-1380. [PMID: 34984584 PMCID: PMC8882107 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) family of proteins contributes to mitochondrial-based apoptosis in models of neurodegeneration, including glaucomatous optic neuropathy (glaucoma), which degrades the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axonal projection to the visual brain. Glaucoma is commonly associated with increased sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP) and involves a proximal program that leads to RGC dendritic pruning and a distal program that underlies axonopathy in the optic projection. While genetic deletion of the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax-/-) prolongs RGC body survival in models of glaucoma and optic nerve trauma, axonopathy persists, thus raising the question of whether dendrites and the RGC light response are protected. Here, we used an inducible model of glaucoma in Bax-/- mice to determine if Bax contributes to RGC dendritic degeneration. We performed whole-cell recordings and dye filling in RGCs signaling light onset (αON-Sustained) and offset (αOFF-Sustained). We recovered RGC dendritic morphologies by confocal microscopy and analyzed dendritic arbor complexity and size. Additionally, we assessed RGC axon function by measuring anterograde axon transport of cholera toxin subunit B to the superior colliculus and behavioral spatial frequency threshold (i.e., spatial acuity). We found 1 month of IOP elevation did not cause significant RGC death in either WT or Bax-/- retinas. However, IOP elevation reduced dendritic arbor complexity of WT αON-Sustained and αOFF-Sustained RGCs. In the absence of Bax, αON- and αOFF-Sustained RGC dendritic arbors remained intact following IOP elevation. In addition to dendrites, neuroprotection by Bax-/- generalized to αON-and αOFF-Sustained RGC light- and current-evoked responses. Both anterograde axon transport and spatial acuity declined during IOP elevation in WT and Bax-/- mice. Collectively, our results indicate Bax contributes to RGC dendritic degeneration and distinguishes the proximal and distal neurodegenerative programs involved during the progression of glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Risner
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Silvia Pasini
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Nolan R McGrady
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, AA7103 MCN/VUIIS, 1161 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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16
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Kyrychenko A, Vasquez-Montes V, Ladokhin AS. Advantages of Quantitative Analysis of Depth-Dependent Fluorescence Quenching: Case Study of BAX. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:461-468. [PMID: 34994819 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00211-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic disorder of the lipid bilayer presents a challenge for establishing structure-function relationships in membrane proteins, especially to those that insert by refolding from soluble states, e.g., bacterial toxins and Bcl-2 apoptotic regulators. Because many high-resolution structural techniques cannot be easily applied to such systems, methods like depth-dependent fluorescence quenching gained prominence. Over three decades ago, Prof. Erwin London and his co-workers revolutionized the studies of membrane protein insertion by introducing a quantitative approach to the analysis of membrane quenching data and inspired many researchers to continue this work. Here, we illustrate how the application of the quantitative analysis yields new insights into previously published results. We have used the method of distribution analysis (DA) to calculate the precise immersion depth of NBD fluorophores selectively attached to various single-cysteine mutants of the apoptotic factor BAX from quenching data obtained with a series of spin-labeled lipids. The original qualitative analysis interpreted the higher quenching determined for shallower probes in positions flanking the helix 9 of BAX as evidence of a transmembrane helix 9 topology. The quantitative DA, however, revealed that a transmembrane topology of helix 9 of BAX is unlikely, as it would require labeling sites that are only 15 residues apart in a helical conformation to be separated by a transverse distance of over 45 Å.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kyrychenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160-7421, USA.
- Institute of Chemistry and School of Chemistry, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Square, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine.
| | - Victor Vasquez-Montes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160-7421, USA
| | - Alexey S Ladokhin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160-7421, USA
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17
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Flores‐Romero H, Hohorst L, John M, Albert M, King LE, Beckmann L, Szabo T, Hertlein V, Luo X, Villunger A, Frenzel LP, Kashkar H, Garcia‐Saez AJ. BCL‐2‐family protein tBID can act as a BAX‐like effector of apoptosis. EMBO J 2021; 41:e108690. [PMID: 34931711 PMCID: PMC8762556 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
During apoptosis, the BCL‐2‐family protein tBID promotes mitochondrial permeabilization by activating BAX and BAK and by blocking anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 members. Here, we report that tBID can also mediate mitochondrial permeabilization by itself, resulting in release of cytochrome c and mitochondrial DNA, caspase activation and apoptosis even in absence of BAX and BAK. This previously unrecognized activity of tBID depends on helix 6, homologous to the pore‐forming regions of BAX and BAK, and can be blocked by pro‐survival BCL‐2 proteins. Importantly, tBID‐mediated mitochondrial permeabilization independent of BAX and BAK is physiologically relevant for SMAC release in the immune response against Shigella infection. Furthermore, it can be exploited to kill leukaemia cells with acquired venetoclax resistance due to lack of active BAX and BAK. Our findings define tBID as an effector of mitochondrial permeabilization in apoptosis and provide a new paradigm for BCL‐2 proteins, with implications for anti‐bacterial immunity and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Flores‐Romero
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Lisa Hohorst
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Malina John
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Marie‐Christine Albert
- Institute for Molecular Immunology, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) Faculty of Medicine University Hospital of Cologne University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Louise E King
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Laura Beckmann
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Center of Integrated Oncology ABCD University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Tamas Szabo
- Division of Developmental Immunology Biocenter Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Vanessa Hertlein
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
| | - Xu Luo
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha ME USA
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE USA
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Division of Developmental Immunology Biocenter Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences Vienna Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Vienna Austria
| | - Lukas P Frenzel
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Center of Integrated Oncology ABCD University Hospital of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Hamid Kashkar
- Institute for Molecular Immunology, and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) Faculty of Medicine University Hospital of Cologne University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Ana J Garcia‐Saez
- Institute for Genetics University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry Eberhard‐Karls‐Universität Tübingen Tübingen Germany
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18
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Sandow JJ, Tan IK, Huang AS, Masaldan S, Bernardini JP, Wardak AZ, Birkinshaw RW, Ninnis RL, Liu Z, Dalseno D, Lio D, Infusini G, Czabotar PE, Webb AI, Dewson G. Dynamic reconfiguration of pro-apoptotic BAK on membranes. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107237. [PMID: 34523147 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BAK and BAX, the effectors of intrinsic apoptosis, each undergo major reconfiguration to an activated conformer that self-associates to damage mitochondria and cause cell death. However, the dynamic structural mechanisms of this reconfiguration in the presence of a membrane have yet to be fully elucidated. To explore the metamorphosis of membrane-bound BAK, we employed hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). The HDX-MS profile of BAK on liposomes comprising mitochondrial lipids was consistent with known solution structures of inactive BAK. Following activation, HDX-MS resolved major reconfigurations in BAK. Mutagenesis guided by our HDX-MS profiling revealed that the BCL-2 homology (BH) 4 domain maintains the inactive conformation of BAK, and disrupting this domain is sufficient for constitutive BAK activation. Moreover, the entire N-terminal region preceding the BAK oligomerisation domains became disordered post-activation and remained disordered in the activated oligomer. Removal of the disordered N-terminus did not impair, but rather slightly potentiated, BAK-mediated membrane permeabilisation of liposomes and mitochondria. Together, our HDX-MS analyses reveal new insights into the dynamic nature of BAK activation on a membrane, which may provide new opportunities for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod J Sandow
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Iris Kl Tan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alan S Huang
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Shashank Masaldan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jonathan P Bernardini
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Ahmad Z Wardak
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Richard W Birkinshaw
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Robert L Ninnis
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Ziyan Liu
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Destiny Dalseno
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Daisy Lio
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Giuseppi Infusini
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Andrew I Webb
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Grant Dewson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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19
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Sperl LE, Rührnößl F, Schiller A, Haslbeck M, Hagn F. High-resolution analysis of the conformational transition of pro-apoptotic Bak at the lipid membrane. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107159. [PMID: 34523144 PMCID: PMC8521305 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane by pore-forming Bcl2 proteins is a crucial step for the induction of apoptosis. Despite a large set of data suggesting global conformational changes within pro-apoptotic Bak during pore formation, high-resolution structural details in a membrane environment remain sparse. Here, we used NMR and HDX-MS (Hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry) in lipid nanodiscs to gain important high-resolution structural insights into the conformational changes of Bak at the membrane that are dependent on a direct activation by BH3-only proteins. Furthermore, we determined the first high-resolution structure of the Bak transmembrane helix. Upon activation, α-helix 1 in the soluble domain of Bak dissociates from the protein and adopts an unfolded and dynamic potentially membrane-bound state. In line with this finding, comparative protein folding experiments with Bak and anti-apoptotic BclxL suggest that α-helix 1 in Bak is a metastable structural element contributing to its pro-apoptotic features. Consequently, mutagenesis experiments aimed at stabilizing α-helix 1 yielded Bak variants with delayed pore-forming activity. These insights will contribute to a better mechanistic understanding of Bak-mediated membrane permeabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Sperl
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
| | - Florian Rührnößl
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies and Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
| | - Anita Schiller
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
| | - Martin Haslbeck
- Center for Functional Protein Assemblies and Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
| | - Franz Hagn
- Bavarian NMR Center at the Department of ChemistryTechnical University of MunichGarchingGermany
- Institute of Structural BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenNeuherbergGermany
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20
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Dadsena S, King LE, García-Sáez AJ. Apoptosis regulation at the mitochondria membrane level. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183716. [PMID: 34343535 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is a key checkpoint in apoptosis that activates the caspase cascade and irreversibly causes the majority of cells to die. The proteins of the Bcl-2 family are master regulators of apoptosis that form a complex interaction network within the mitochondrial membrane that determines the induction of MOMP. This culminates in the activation of the effector members Bax and Bak, which permeabilize the mitochondrial outer membrane to mediate MOMP. Although the key role of Bax and Bak has been established, many questions remain unresolved regarding molecular mechanisms that control the apoptotic pore. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in our understanding of the regulation of Bax/Bak activity within the mitochondrial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Dadsena
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Louise E King
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Germany.
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21
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Lv F, Qi F, Zhang Z, Wen M, Kale J, Piai A, Du L, Wang S, Zhou L, Yang Y, Wu B, Liu Z, Del Rosario J, Pogmore J, Chou JJ, Andrews DW, Lin J, OuYang B. An amphipathic Bax core dimer forms part of the apoptotic pore wall in the mitochondrial␣membrane. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106438. [PMID: 34101209 PMCID: PMC8280806 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bax proteins form pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane to initiate apoptosis. This might involve their embedding in the cytosolic leaflet of the lipid bilayer, thus generating tension to induce a lipid pore with radially arranged lipids forming the wall. Alternatively, Bax proteins might comprise part of the pore wall. However, there is no unambiguous structural evidence for either hypothesis. Using NMR, we determined a high-resolution structure of the Bax core region, revealing a dimer with the nonpolar surface covering the lipid bilayer edge and the polar surface exposed to water. The dimer tilts from the bilayer normal, not only maximizing nonpolar interactions with lipid tails but also creating polar interactions between charged residues and lipid heads. Structure-guided mutations demonstrate the importance of both types of protein-lipid interactions in Bax pore assembly and core dimer configuration. Therefore, the Bax core dimer forms part of the proteolipid pore wall to permeabilize mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujiao Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Maorong Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Justin Kale
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alessandro Piai
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lingyu Du
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Liujuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wu
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Liu
- National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Del Rosario
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Justin Pogmore
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - James J Chou
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David W Andrews
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jialing Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.,Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Bo OuYang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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22
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Birkinshaw RW, Iyer S, Lio D, Luo CS, Brouwer JM, Miller MS, Robin AY, Uren RT, Dewson G, Kluck RM, Colman PM, Czabotar PE. Structure of detergent-activated BAK dimers derived from the inert monomer. Mol Cell 2021; 81:2123-2134.e5. [PMID: 33794146 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A body of data supports the existence of core (α2-α5) dimers of BAK and BAX in the oligomeric, membrane-perturbing conformation of these essential apoptotic effector molecules. Molecular structures for these dimers have only been captured for truncated constructs encompassing the core domain alone. Here, we report a crystal structure of BAK α2-α8 dimers (i.e., minus its flexible N-terminal helix and membrane-anchoring C-terminal segment) that has been obtained through the activation of monomeric BAK with the detergent C12E8. Core dimers are evident, linked through the crystal by contacts via latch (α6-α8) domains. This crystal structure shows activated BAK dimers with the extended latch domain present. Our data provide direct evidence for the conformational change converting BAK from inert monomer to the functional dimer that destroys mitochondrial integrity. This dimer is the smallest functional unit for recombinant BAK or BAX described so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard W Birkinshaw
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Sweta Iyer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Daisy Lio
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Cindy S Luo
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jason M Brouwer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Michelle S Miller
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Adeline Y Robin
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Rachel T Uren
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Grant Dewson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ruth M Kluck
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peter M Colman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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23
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Dadsena S, Jenner A, García-Sáez AJ. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization at the single molecule level. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3777-3790. [PMID: 33576840 PMCID: PMC8106609 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03771-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death is essential for development, immune function or tissue homeostasis, and its mis-regulation is linked to various diseases. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is a central event in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and essential to control the execution of cell death. Here we review current concepts in regulation of MOMP focusing on the interaction network of the Bcl-2 family proteins as well as further regulatory elements influencing MOMP. As MOMP is a complex spatially and temporally controlled process, we point out the importance of single-molecule techniques to unveil processes which would be masked by ensemble measurements. We report key single-molecule studies applied to decipher the composition, assembly mechanism and structure of protein complexes involved in MOMP regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Dadsena
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Jenner
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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24
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Mechanisms of mitochondrial cell death. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:663-674. [PMID: 33704419 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are double-membrane bound organelles that not only provide energy for intracellular metabolism, but also play a key role in the regulation of cell death. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), allowing the release of intermembrane space proteins like cytochrome c, is considered a point of no return in apoptosis. MOMP is controlled by the proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) family, including pro-and anti-apoptotic members, whose balance determines the decision between cell death and survival. Other factors such as membrane lipid environment, membrane dynamics, and inter-organelle communications are also known to influence this process. MOMP and apoptosis have been acknowledged as immunologically silent. Remarkably, a growing body of evidence indicates that MOMP can engage in various pro-inflammatory signaling functions. In this mini-review, we discuss about our current knowledge on the mechanisms of mitochondrial apoptosis, as well as the involvement of mitochondria in other kinds of programmed cell death pathways.
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25
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Spitz AZ, Zacharioudakis E, Reyna DE, Garner TP, Gavathiotis E. Eltrombopag directly inhibits BAX and prevents cell death. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1134. [PMID: 33602934 PMCID: PMC7892824 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21224-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCL-2 family protein BAX has essential activity in mitochondrial regulation of cell death. While BAX activity ensures tissue homeostasis, when dysregulated it contributes to aberrant cell death in several diseases. During cellular stress BAX is transformed from an inactive cytosolic conformation to a toxic mitochondrial oligomer. Although the BAX transformation process is not well understood, drugs that interfere with this process are useful research tools and potential therapeutics. Here, we show that Eltrombopag, an FDA-approved drug, is a direct inhibitor of BAX. Eltrombopag binds the BAX trigger site distinctly from BAX activators, preventing them from triggering BAX conformational transformation and simultaneously promoting stabilization of the inactive BAX structure. Accordingly, Eltrombopag is capable of inhibiting BAX-mediated apoptosis induced by cytotoxic stimuli. Our data demonstrate structure-function insights into a mechanism of BAX inhibition and reveal a mechanism for Eltrombopag that may expand its use in diseases of uncontrolled cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Z Spitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Denis E Reyna
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Thomas P Garner
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Institute of Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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26
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Zhang Z, Huang B, Zhang XC, Lin J. Cysteine-based crosslinking approach for characterization of oligomeric pore-forming proteins in the mitochondrial membranes. Methods Enzymol 2021; 649:371-396. [PMID: 33712193 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are important not only to healthy but also dying cells. In particular, apoptotic cell death initiates when the mitochondrial outer membrane is permeabilized by Bax, a protein of the Bcl-2 family. Bax shares a structural fold with some α-helical bacterial pore-forming toxins before these proteins actively engage membranes. Despite decades of intensive research, the structures of the pores formed by these proteins are mostly unknown, mainly because the pores are assembled by different numbers of the proteins whose conformation and interaction are highly dynamic. Site-specific crosslinking of the pore-forming proteins in cellular membranes where the pores are assembled is a powerful approach to assess the biological pore structure, dynamics and function. In this chapter, we describe a cysteine-based site-specific crosslinking protocol for the Bax protein in the mitochondrial membrane. We discuss the expected results and the resulting structural-functional models for the pore-forming Bax oligomer, in comparison with other crosslinking approaches that have been used to study other mitochondrial protein complexes. At the end, we highlight the advantages of the crosslinking approaches as well as the limitations and alternative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Bo Huang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejun C Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jialing Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States.
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27
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Sinha S, Ghosh Dastidar S. Shifting Polar Residues Across Primary Sequence Frames of Transmembrane Domains Calibrates Membrane Permeation Thermodynamics. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4353-4366. [PMID: 33136366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Permeation of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) using the transmembrane domains (TMDs) is the key step of the Bcl-2 family of proteins to control apoptosis. The primary sequences of the TMDs of the family members like Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Bak, etc. indicate the presence of charged residues at the C-terminal tip to be essential for drilling the membrane. However, Bax, a variant of the same family, is an exception, as the charged residues are shifted away from the tip by two positional frames in the primary sequence, but does it matter really? The free energy landscapes of membrane permeation, computed from a total of ∼13.3 μs of conformational sampling, show how such shifting of the amino acid frames in the primary sequence is correlated with the energy landscape that ensures the balance between membrane permeation and cytosolic population. Shifting the charged residues back to the terminal, in suitable mutants of Bax, proves the necessity of terminal charged residues by improving the insertion free energy but adds a high energy barrier unless some other polar residues are adjusted further. The difference in the TMDs of Bcl-xL and Bax is also reflected in their mechanism to drill the MOM-like anionic membrane; only Bax-TMD requires surface crowding to favorably shape the permeation landscape by weakening the bilayer integrity. So, this investigation suggests that such proteins can calibrate the free energy landscape of membrane permeation by adjusting the positions of the charged or polar residues in the primary sequence frames, a strategy analogous to the game of the "sliding tile puzzle" but played with primary sequence frames.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Sinha
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Shubhra Ghosh Dastidar
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata 700054, India
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28
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Abstract
Bax and Bak, two functionally similar, pro-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, are known as the gateway to apoptosis because of their requisite roles as effectors of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), a major step during mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The mechanism of how cells turn Bax/Bak from inert molecules into fully active and lethal effectors had long been the focal point of a major debate centered around two competing, but not mutually exclusive, models: direct activation and indirect activation. After intensive research efforts for over two decades, it is now widely accepted that to initiate apoptosis, some of the BH3-only proteins, a subclass of the Bcl-2 family, directly engage Bax/Bak to trigger their conformational transformation and activation. However, a series of recent discoveries, using previously unavailable CRISPR-engineered cell systems, challenge the basic premise that undergirds the consensus and provide evidence for a novel and surprisingly simple model of Bax/Bak activation: the membrane (lipids)-mediated spontaneous model. This review will discuss the evidence, rationale, significance, and implications of this new model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Luo
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Alaska Medical Center, Omaha, ME, 68198-7696, USA.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
| | - Katelyn L O'Neill
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Alaska Medical Center, Omaha, ME, 68198-7696, USA
| | - Kai Huang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Alaska Medical Center, Omaha, ME, 68198-7696, USA.,Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6805, USA
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29
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Yang F, Qu W, Du M, Mai Z, Wang B, Ma Y, Wang X, Chen T. Stoichiometry and regulation network of Bcl-2 family complexes quantified by live-cell FRET assay. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2387-2406. [PMID: 31492967 PMCID: PMC11104934 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03286-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The stoichiometry and affinity of Bcl-2 family complexes are essential information for understanding how their interactome network is orchestrated to regulate mitochondrial permeabilization and apoptosis. Based on over-expression model system, FRET analysis was used to quantify the protein-protein interactions among Bax, Bcl-xL, Bad and tBid in healthy and apoptotic cells. Our data indicate that the stoichiometry and affinity of Bcl-2 complexes are dependent on their membrane environment. Bcl-xL, Bad and tBid can form hetero-trimers in mitochondria. Bcl-xL binds preferentially to Bad, then to tBid and Bax in mitochondria, whilst Bcl-xL displays higher affinity to Bad or tBid than to itself. Strikingly, Bax can bind to Bcl-xL in cytosol. In cytosol of apoptotic cells, Bcl-xL associates with Bax to form hetero-trimer with 1:2 stoichiometry, while Bcl-xL associates with Bad to form hetero-trimer with 2:1 stoichiometry and Bcl-xL associates with tBid to form hetero-dimer. In mitochondria, Bcl-xL associates with Bax/Bad to form hetero-dimer in healthy cells, while Bcl-xL associates with Bad to form hetero-tetramer with 3:1 stoichiometry in apoptotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenfeng Qu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyan Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zihao Mai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunyun Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Tongsheng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
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30
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Panuzzo C, Jovanovski A, Pergolizzi B, Pironi L, Stanga S, Fava C, Cilloni D. Mitochondria: A Galaxy in the Hematopoietic and Leukemic Stem Cell Universe. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113928. [PMID: 32486249 PMCID: PMC7312164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are the main fascinating energetic source into the cells. Their number, shape, and dynamism are controlled by the cell’s type and current behavior. The perturbation of the mitochondrial inward system via stress response and/or oncogenic insults could activate several trafficking molecular mechanisms with the intention to solve the problem. In this review, we aimed to clarify the crucial pathways in the mitochondrial system, dissecting the different metabolic defects, with a special emphasis on hematological malignancies. We investigated the pivotal role of mitochondria in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their main alterations that could induce malignant transformation, culminating in the generation of leukemic stem cells (LSCs). In addition, we presented an overview of LSCs mitochondrial dysregulated mechanisms in terms of (1) increasing in oxidative phosphorylation program (OXPHOS), as a crucial process for survival and self-renewal of LSCs,(2) low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and (3) aberrant expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) with sustained mitophagy. Furthermore, these peculiarities may represent attractive new “hot spots” for mitochondrial-targeted therapy. Finally, we remark the potential of the LCS metabolic effectors to be exploited as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Panuzzo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
| | - Aleksandar Jovanovski
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Barbara Pergolizzi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Lucrezia Pironi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Serena Stanga
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, 10124 Turin, Italy;
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Carmen Fava
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
| | - Daniela Cilloni
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy; (A.J.); (B.P.); (L.P.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (D.C.)
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31
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Robust autoactivation for apoptosis by BAK but not BAX highlights BAK as an important therapeutic target. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:268. [PMID: 32327636 PMCID: PMC7181796 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2463-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BAK and BAX, which drive commitment to apoptosis, are activated principally by certain BH3-only proteins that bind them and trigger major rearrangements. One crucial conformation change is exposure of their BH3 domain which allows BAK or BAX to form homodimers, and potentially to autoactivate other BAK and BAX molecules to ensure robust pore formation and cell death. Here, we test whether full-length BAK or mitochondrial BAX that are specifically activated by antibodies can then activate other BAK or BAX molecules. We found that antibody-activated BAK efficiently activated BAK as well as mitochondrial or cytosolic BAX, but antibody-activated BAX unexpectedly proved a poor activator. Notably, autoactivation by BAK involved transient interactions, as BAK and BAX molecules it activated could dissociate and homodimerize. The results suggest that BAK-driven autoactivation may play a substantial role in apoptosis, including recruitment of BAX to the mitochondria. Hence, directly targeting BAK rather than BAX may prove particularly effective in inhibiting unwanted apoptosis, or alternatively, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
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32
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Moldoveanu T, Czabotar PE. BAX, BAK, and BOK: A Coming of Age for the BCL-2 Family Effector Proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036319. [PMID: 31570337 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The BCL-2 family of proteins control a key checkpoint in apoptosis, that of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization or, simply, mitochondrial poration. The family consists of three subgroups: BH3-only initiators that respond to apoptotic stimuli; antiapoptotic guardians that protect against cell death; and the membrane permeabilizing effectors BAX, BAK, and BOK. On activation, effector proteins are converted from inert monomers into membrane permeabilizing oligomers. For many years, this process has been poorly understood at the molecular level, but a number of recent advances have provided important insights. We review the regulation of these effectors, their activation, subsequent conformational changes, and the ensuing oligomerization events that enable mitochondrial poration, which initiates apoptosis through release of key signaling factors such as cytochrome c We highlight the mysteries that remain in understanding these important proteins in an endeavor to provide a comprehensive picture of where the field currently sits and where it is moving toward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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33
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Kuwana T, King LE, Cosentino K, Suess J, Garcia-Saez AJ, Gilmore AP, Newmeyer DD. Mitochondrial residence of the apoptosis inducer BAX is more important than BAX oligomerization in promoting membrane permeabilization. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1623-1636. [PMID: 31901077 PMCID: PMC7008371 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane is a key step in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, triggered by the release of mitochondrial intermembrane space proteins into the cytoplasm. The BCL-2-associated X apoptosis regulator (BAX) protein critically contributes to this process by forming pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane. However, the relative roles of the mitochondrial residence of BAX and its oligomerization in promoting membrane permeabilization are unclear. To this end, using both cell-free and cellular experimental systems, including membrane permeabilization, size-exclusion chromatography-based oligomer, and retrotranslocation assays, along with confocal microscopy analysis, here we studied two BAX C-terminal variants, T182I and G179P. Neither variant formed large oligomers when activated in liposomes. Nevertheless, the G179P variant could permeabilize liposome membranes, suggesting that large BAX oligomers are not essential for the permeabilization. However, when G179P was transduced into BAX/BCL2 agonist killer (BAK) double-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, its location was solely cytoplasmic, and it then failed to mediate cell death. In contrast, T182I was inefficient in both liposome insertion and permeabilization. Yet, when transduced into cells, BAXT182I resided predominantly on mitochondria, because of its slow retrotranslocation and mediated apoptosis as efficiently as WT BAX. We conclude that BAX's mitochondrial residence in vivo, regulated by both targeting and retrotranslocation, is more significant for its pro-apoptotic activity than its ability to insert and to form higher-order oligomers in model membranes. We propose that this finding should be taken into account when developing drugs that modulate BAX activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Kuwana
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037.
| | - Louise E King
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell/Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom M13 9PT
| | - Katia Cosentino
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tubingen, 72076 Tubingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Andrew P Gilmore
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell/Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom M13 9PT
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34
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PEGylation-based strategy to identify pathways involved in the activation of apoptotic BAX protein. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129541. [PMID: 31987956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BAX activation is a crucial step for commitment to apoptosis. Several activators, such as BimBH3-based therapeutic peptides and cleaved Bid (cBid) protein, can trigger BAX-mediated apoptosis, but it is unclear whether they proceed through the same pathway. METHODS Here we utilize PEGylation-based approach, which is shown to efficiently shield individual binding grooves in BAX from activators, to investigate and reveal that the activators take different routes to induce BAX-mediated apoptosis. Various spectroscopic/biochemical tools, including electron spin resonance, circular dichroism, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and label-transfer assay, were employed to reveal details in the processes. RESULTS We observe a key mutant BAX 164-PEG that acts differently in response to cBid and BimBH3 stimuli. While BimBH3 directly interacts with the trigger groove (TG) to induce the conformational changes in BAX that includes the release of α9 from the canonical groove (CG) and oligomerization, cBid engages with CG and works with mitochondrial lipids to fully activate BAX. CONCLUSION PEGylation-based approach is proven useful to shield individual binding grooves of BAX from apoptotic stimuli. Groove engagement in CG of BAX is required for a full cBid-induced BAX activation. This study has identified differences in the pathways involved during the initiation of BAX activation by full-length cBid protein versus synthetic BimBH3-based peptides. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our finding is potentially valuable for therapeutic application as the pore-forming activity of 164-PEG is independent from the cBid-mediated apoptotic pathways, but can be administrated by the synthetic short peptides.
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35
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Chi X, Nguyen D, Pemberton JM, Osterlund EJ, Liu Q, Brahmbhatt H, Zhang Z, Lin J, Leber B, Andrews DW. The carboxyl-terminal sequence of bim enables bax activation and killing of unprimed cells. eLife 2020; 9:44525. [PMID: 31976859 PMCID: PMC6980855 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bcl-2 family BH3 protein Bim promotes apoptosis at mitochondria by activating the pore-forming proteins Bax and Bak and by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Bim binds to these proteins via its BH3 domain and to the mitochondrial membrane by a carboxyl-terminal sequence (CTS). In cells killed by Bim, the expression of a Bim mutant in which the CTS was deleted (BimL-dCTS) triggered apoptosis that correlated with inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins being sufficient to permeabilize mitochondria isolated from the same cells. Detailed analysis of the molecular mechanism demonstrated that BimL-dCTS inhibited Bcl-XL but did not activate Bax. Examination of additional point mutants unexpectedly revealed that the CTS of Bim directly interacts with Bax, is required for physiological concentrations of Bim to activate Bax and that different residues in the CTS enable Bax activation and binding to membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoke Chi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dang Nguyen
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James M Pemberton
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth J Osterlund
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Qian Liu
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hetal Brahmbhatt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States.,Molecular Biology and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Jialing Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States.,Molecular Biology and Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Brian Leber
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - David W Andrews
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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36
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Maes ME, Grosser JA, Fehrman RL, Schlamp CL, Nickells RW. Completion of BAX recruitment correlates with mitochondrial fission during apoptosis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16565. [PMID: 31719602 PMCID: PMC6851089 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53049-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BAX, a member of the BCL2 gene family, controls the committed step of the intrinsic apoptotic program. Mitochondrial fragmentation is a commonly observed feature of apoptosis, which occurs through the process of mitochondrial fission. BAX has consistently been associated with mitochondrial fission, yet how BAX participates in the process of mitochondrial fragmentation during apoptosis remains to be tested. Time-lapse imaging of BAX recruitment and mitochondrial fragmentation demonstrates that rapid mitochondrial fragmentation during apoptosis occurs after the complete recruitment of BAX to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). The requirement of a fully functioning BAX protein for the fission process was demonstrated further in BAX/BAK-deficient HCT116 cells expressing a P168A mutant of BAX. The mutant performed fusion to restore the mitochondrial network. but was not demonstrably recruited to the MOM after apoptosis induction. Under these conditions, mitochondrial fragmentation was blocked. Additionally, we show that loss of the fission protein, dynamin-like protein 1 (DRP1), does not temporally affect the initiation time or rate of BAX recruitment, but does reduce the final level of BAX recruited to the MOM during the late phase of BAX recruitment. These correlative observations suggest a model where late-stage BAX oligomers play a functional part of the mitochondrial fragmentation machinery in apoptotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Maes
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - J A Grosser
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - R L Fehrman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - C L Schlamp
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - R W Nickells
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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37
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Teucher M, Zhang H, Bader V, Winklhofer KF, García-Sáez AJ, Rajca A, Bleicken S, Bordignon E. A new perspective on membrane-embedded Bax oligomers using DEER and bioresistant orthogonal spin labels. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13013. [PMID: 31506457 PMCID: PMC6737250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bax is a Bcl-2 protein crucial for apoptosis initiation and execution, whose active conformation is only partially understood. Dipolar EPR spectroscopy has proven to be a valuable tool to determine coarse-grained models of membrane-embedded Bcl-2 proteins. Here we show how the combination of spectroscopically distinguishable nitroxide and gadolinium spin labels and Double Electron-Electron Resonance can help to gain new insights into the quaternary structure of active, membrane-embedded Bax oligomers. We show that attaching labels bulkier than the conventional MTSL may affect Bax fold and activity, depending on the protein/label combination. However, we identified a suitable pair of spectroscopically distinguishable labels, which allows to study complex distance networks in the oligomers that could not be disentangled before. Additionally, we compared the stability of the different spin-labeled protein variants in E. coli and HeLa cell extracts. We found that the gem-diethyl nitroxide-labeled Bax variants were reasonably stable in HeLa cell extracts. However, when transferred into human cells, Bax was found to be mislocalized, thus preventing its characterization in a physiological environment. The successful use of spectroscopically distinguishable labels on membrane-embedded Bax-oligomers opens an exciting new path towards structure determination of membrane-embedded homo- or hetero-oligomeric Bcl-2 proteins via EPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Teucher
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Verian Bader
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Konstanze F Winklhofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrzej Rajca
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Stephanie Bleicken
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- ZEMOS, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Enrica Bordignon
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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38
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Jezek J, Chang K, Joshi AM, Strich R. Mitochondrial translocation of cyclin C stimulates intrinsic apoptosis through Bax recruitment. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e47425. [PMID: 31385392 PMCID: PMC6726902 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic apoptosis requires mitochondrial outer membrane disruption triggered by recruitment, activation, and oligomerization of the Bcl-2 homology protein Bax. Following oxidative stress, we demonstrated that the transcriptional regulator cyclin C is released into the cytosol where it directs mitochondrial fragmentation and efficient apoptotic induction. This study reveals that cytoplasmic cyclin C is required for both normal Bax activation and its efficient mitochondrial localization. This activity appears direct as cyclin C co-immunoprecipitates with active Bax in stressed cells and binds recombinant Bax in vitro. In addition, stable cyclin C-Bax association requires the fission complex. Pharmacologically stimulating cyclin C nuclear release is sufficient for Bax association and their mitochondrial localization in the absence of any stress signals. However, these cells do not undergo cell death as Bax fails to oligomerize. These data support a model that cyclin C association defines an initial step in Bax mitochondrial recruitment and provides a physical connection between the fission and apoptotic factors. This strategy allows the cell to discriminate stress-induced fission able to recruit Bax from other types of mitochondrial divisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Jezek
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTwo Medical Center DriveRowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineStratfordNJUSA
| | - Kai‐Ti Chang
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTwo Medical Center DriveRowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineStratfordNJUSA
| | - Amogh M Joshi
- School of Osteopathic MedicineOne Medical Center DriveRowan UniversityStratfordNJUSA
| | - Randy Strich
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesTwo Medical Center DriveRowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineStratfordNJUSA
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39
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健愉 冯, 玉山 朱, 陈 权, 凌 林, Jianyu F, Yushan Z, Quan C, Jialing L. [Physiological Function and Structural Basis of Bcl-2 Family Proteins]. ZHONGGUO XI BAO SHENG WU XUE XUE BAO 2019; 41:1477-1489. [PMID: 34249113 PMCID: PMC8265309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis is an important biological process that plays a key role in the regulation of cell fate and homeostasis. The B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins are important regulators of the apoptotic pathway, and their dysfunction is associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. In the past decade, a large number of research work on the physiological functions and atomic structures of Bcl-2 family proteins have been reported, which has deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanism and pathological significance of Bcl-2 family proteins. Recently, new drugs targeting different Bcl-2 proteins have been developed and used in clinics or tested in clinical trials. However, the complexity and diversity in functions and structures of Bcl-2 family have left many unsolved problems. This article summarizes current knowledge of the structure and function of Bcl-2 family proteins and discusses the pharmacological significance of Bcl-2 proteins as effective therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - 林家 凌
- 俄克拉荷马大学健康科学中心生物化学与分子生物学系, 俄克拉何马城 73126-0901
| | - Feng Jianyu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300074, China
| | - Zhu Yushan
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300074, China
| | - Chen Quan
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300074, China
| | - Lin Jialing
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma 73126, USA
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40
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Qu W, Mai Z, Zhang C, Du M, Yang F, Chen T. Time-lapse FRET analysis reveals the ability of Bax dimer to trigger mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 514:881-887. [PMID: 31084935 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Bax oligomerization is essential for triggering mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) in many apoptotic programs. However, it is controversial whether Bax dimer is sufficient to trigger MOMP. In this report, multiple Gaussian function-based FRET analysis (Multi-Gaussian FRET analysis) was used to dissect the dimerization and then tetramerization of Bax in relation to MOMP. Multi-Gaussian FRET analysis on the time-lapse FRET images of single living cells co-expressing CFP-Bax and YFP-Bax revealed that formation of mitochondrial Bax homodimers preceded MOMP within 3 min and Bax dimer transformed into tetramer within 6 min concomitantly with complete MOMP within 10 min, providing direct evidence in support of the sufficient ability of Bax dimers to trigger MOMP at least in natural cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Qu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zihao Mai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Chenshuang Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Mengyan Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Fangfang Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Tongsheng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
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41
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Abstract
The Bcl-2 family of proteins regulates mitochondrial outer membrane permeability thereby making life or death decisions for cells. Most of Bcl-2 proteins contain hydrophobic regions that are embedded in intracellular membranes such as mitochondria. These membrane proteins are difficult to express and purify thereby preluding biochemical and biophysical characterizations. Here, we describe a photocrosslinking approach based on in vitro synthesis of Bcl-2 proteins with photoreactive amino acid analogs incorporated at specific locations. These photoreactive proteins are reconstituted into liposomal membranes with defined phospholipids or mitochondrial membranes isolated from animals, and their interactions with other Bcl-2 proteins are detected by photocrosslinking.
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42
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Abstract
During apoptosis, mitochondria permeabilize the outer membranes to release apoptogenic proteins from the intermembrane space. This process termed mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is regulated by Bcl-2 family proteins. Bax is an effector proapoptotic molecule that permeabilizes the lipid membranes when it is activated by activator BH3-only proteins. We investigated this critical event by developing simple but faithful vesicle systems-outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and liposomes-to visualize the pores in the membrane by using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We have revealed the morphology of the pore, determined the localization of Bax labeled with nanogold and have performed image analysis to help understand the mechanisms of pore formation induced by Bax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Kuwana
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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43
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Abstract
The BCL-2 protein family plays central roles in the mitochondrial pathway of cell apoptosis. The BCL-2-Associated X protein (BAX), along with other proapoptotic proteins, induces cell death in response to a variety of stress stimuli. Upon receipt of killing signals, cytosolic BAX is activated and translocates to mitochondria where it causes mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and initials a series of cellular events that eventually lead to cell destruction. Despite recent progress toward understanding the structure, function, and activation mechanism of BAX, detailed information about how cytosolic BAX can be inhibited is still limited. Here we describe a method of selecting synthetic antibody fragments (Fabs) against BAX using phage display. Synthetic antibodies discovered from the selection have been used as structural probes to gain novel mechanistic details on BAX inhibition. This synthetic antibody selection method could be potentially applied to other BCL-2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan R Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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44
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Abstract
BCL-2 family proteins interact in a network that regulates apoptosis. The BH3 amino acid sequence motif serves to bind together this conglomerate protein family, both literally and figuratively. BH3 motifs are present in antiapoptotic and proapoptotic BCL-2 homologs, and in a separate group of unrelated BH3-only proteins often appended to the BCL-2 family. BH3-containing helices mediate many of their physical interactions to determine cell death versus survival, leading to the development of BH3 mimetics as therapeutics. Here we provide an overview of BCL-2 family interactions, their relevance in health and disease, and the progress toward regulating their interactions therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Huska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather M Lamb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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45
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Topology of active, membrane-embedded Bax in the context of a toroidal pore. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1717-1731. [PMID: 30185826 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0184-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bax is a Bcl-2 protein critical for apoptosis induction. In healthy cells, Bax is mostly a monomeric, cytosolic protein, while upon apoptosis initiation it inserts into the outer mitochondrial membrane, oligomerizes, and forms pores that release proapoptotic factors like Cytochrome c into the cytosol. The structures of active Bax and its homolog Bak are only partially understood and the topology of the proteins with respect to the membrane bilayer is controversially described in the literature. Here, we systematically review and examine the protein-membrane, protein-water, and protein-protein contacts of the nine helices of active Bax and Bak, and add a new set of topology data obtained by fluorescence and EPR methods. We conclude based on the consistent part of the datasets that the core/dimerization domain of Bax (Bak) is water exposed with only helices 4 and 5 in membrane contact, whereas the piercing/latch domain is in peripheral membrane contact, with helix 9 being transmembrane. Among the available structural models, those considering the dimerization/core domain at the rim of a toroidal pore are the most plausible to describe the active state of the proteins, although the structural flexibility of the piercing/latch domain does not allow unambiguous discrimination between the existing models.
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46
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Stehle D, Grimm M, Einsele-Scholz S, Ladwig F, Johänning J, Fischer G, Gillissen B, Schulze-Osthoff K, Essmann F. Contribution of BH3-domain and Transmembrane-domain to the Activity and Interaction of the Pore-forming Bcl-2 Proteins Bok, Bak, and Bax. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12434. [PMID: 30127460 PMCID: PMC6102298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30603-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Central to intrinsic apoptosis signaling is the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which depends on the pro-apoptotic effector proteins Bax, Bak or Bok. These pore-forming effector proteins share four Bcl-2 homology (BH) domains, a functionally essential and conserved sequence of hydrophobic amino acids in their BH3-domain and a C-terminal transmembrane-domain whose specific function remains rather unknown. To elucidate the molecular basis of Bok-mediated apoptosis we analyzed apoptosis induction by transmembrane-domain deficient BokΔTM compared to the respective Bax and Bak proteins and proteins in which the first leucine in the BH3-stretch was mutated to glutamic acid. We show that deletion of the C-terminal transmembrane-domain reduces the pro-apoptotic function of each protein. Mutation of the first leucine in the BH3-domain (L78E) blocks activity of Bak, while mutation of the homologue residues in Bax or Bok (L63E and L70E respectively) does not affect apoptosis induction. Unexpectedly, combined mutation of the BH3-domain and deletion of the transmembrane-domain enhances the pro-apoptotic activity of Bok(L70E)ΔTM by abolishing the interaction with anti-apoptotic proteins, especially the primary Bok-inhibitory protein Mcl-1. These results therefore suggest a specific contribution of the transmembrane-domain to the pro-apoptotic function and interaction of Bok.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Stehle
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Grimm
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Einsele-Scholz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Friederike Ladwig
- Department of Plant Physiology, Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janina Johänning
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute for Clinical Pharmacology (IKP), 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gerd Fischer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Gillissen
- Clinical and Molecular Oncology, University Medical Center Charité, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Schulze-Osthoff
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Essmann
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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47
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Lai YC, Li CC, Sung TC, Chang CW, Lan YJ, Chiang YW. The role of cardiolipin in promoting the membrane pore-forming activity of BAX oligomers. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1861:268-280. [PMID: 29958826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BCL-2-associated X (BAX) protein acts as a gatekeeper in regulating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Under cellular stress, BAX becomes activated and transforms into a lethal oligomer that causes mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Previous studies have identified several structural features of the membrane-associated BAX oligomer; they include the formation of the BH3-in-groove dimer, the collapse of the helical hairpin α5-α6, and the membrane insertion of α9 helix. However, it remains unclear as to the role of lipid environment in determining the conformation and the pore-forming activity of the BAX oligomers. Here we study molecular details of the membrane-associated BAX in various lipid environments using fluorescence and ESR techniques. We identify the inactive versus active forms of membrane-associated BAX, only the latter of which can induce stable and large membrane pores that are sufficient in size to pass apoptogenic factors. We reveal that the presence of CL is crucial to promoting the association between BAX dimers, hence the active oligomers. Without the presence of CL, BAX dimers assemble into an inactive oligomer that lacks the ability to form stable pores in the membrane. This study suggests an important role of CL in determining the formation of active BAX oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yei-Chen Lai
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Chin Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Ching Sung
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jing Lan
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Wei Chiang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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48
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Ma ZW, Liu DX. Humanin decreases mitochondrial membrane permeability by inhibiting the membrane association and oligomerization of Bax and Bid proteins. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:1012-1021. [PMID: 29265109 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Humanin (HN) is a 24-residue peptide identified from the brain of a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD). HN has been found to protect against neuronal insult caused by Aβ peptides or transfection of familial AD mutant genes. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of HN neuroprotection, we explored the effects of HN on the association of Bax or Bid with lipid bilayers and their oligomerization in the membrane. By using single-molecule fluorescence and Förster resonance energy transfer techniques, we showed that Bax was mainly present as monomers, dimers and tetramers in lipid bilayers, while truncated Bid (tBid) enhanced the membrane association and tetramerization of Bax. HN (100 nmol/L) inhibited the self-association and tBid-activated association of Bax with the bilayers, and significantly decreased the proportion of Bax in tetramers. Furthermore, HN inhibited Bid translocation to lipid bilayers. HN could bind with Bax and Bid either in solution or in the membrane. However, HN could not pull the proteins out of the membrane. Based on these results, we propose that HN binds to Bax and cBid in solution and inhibits their translocation to the membrane. Meanwhile, HN interacts with the membrane-bound Bax and tBid, preventing the recruitment of cytosolic Bax and its oligomerization in the membrane. In this way, HN inhibits Bax pore formation in mitochondrial outer membrane and suppresses cytochrome c release and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.
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49
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New limits of sensitivity of site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance for membrane proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2018; 1860:841-853. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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50
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Uren RT, Iyer S, Kluck RM. Pore formation by dimeric Bak and Bax: an unusual pore? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018. [PMID: 28630157 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway occurs in all vertebrate cells and requires the formation of pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane. Two Bcl-2 protein family members, Bak and Bax, form these pores during apoptosis, and how they do so has been investigated for the last two decades. Many of the conformation changes that occur during their transition to pore-forming proteins have now been delineated. Notably, biochemical, biophysical and structural studies indicate that symmetric homodimers are the basic unit of pore formation. Each dimer contains an extended hydrophobic surface that lies on the outer membrane, and is anchored at either end by a transmembrane domain. Membrane-remodelling events such as positive membrane curvature have been reported to accompany apoptotic pore formation, suggesting Bak and Bax form lipidic pores rather than proteinaceous pores. However, it remains unclear how symmetric dimers assemble to porate the membrane. Here, we review how clusters of dimers and their lipid-mediated interactions provide a molecular explanation for the heterogeneous assemblies of Bak and Bax observed during apoptosis.This article is part of the themed issue 'Membrane pores: from structure and assembly, to medicine and technology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel T Uren
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sweta Iyer
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ruth M Kluck
- Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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