Loss of Rb-E2F repression results in caspase-8-mediated apoptosis through inactivation of focal adhesion kinase

Jonathan H. Lieman, Lori A. Worley, J. William Harbour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Molecular hardwiring of the cell cycle to the apoptotic machinery is a critical tumor suppressor mechanism for eliminating hyperproliferative cells. Deregulation of the Rb-E2F repressor complex by genetic deletion or functional inhibition of Rb triggers apoptosis through both the intrinsic (caspase-9 mediated) and extrinsic (caspase-8 mediated) death pathways. Induction of the intrinsic pathway has been studied extensively and involves release of free E2F and direct transcriptional activation of E2F-responsive apoptotic genes such as ARF, APAF1, and CASP9. In contrast, the mechanisms leading to activation of the extrinsic pathway are less well understood. There is growing evidence that Rb-E2F perturbation induces the extrinsic pathway, at least in part, through derepression (as opposed to transactivation) of apoptotic genes. Here, we explore this possibility using cells in which Rb-E2F complexes are displaced from promoters without stimulating E2F transactivation. This derepression of Rb-E2F-regulated genes leads to apoptosis through inactivation of focal adhesion kinase and activation of caspase-8. These findings reveal a new mechanistic link between Rb-E2F and the extrinsic (caspase 8-mediated) apoptotic pathway.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10484-10490
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume280
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 18 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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