The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 facilitates cytokine-induced survival of eosinophils by suppressing Bax activation

Zhong Jian Shen, Stephane Esnault, Anna Schinzel, Christoph Borner, James S. Malter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanisms by which cytokine signals prevent the activation and mitochondrial targeting of the proapoptotic protein Bax are unclear. Here we show, using primary human eosinophils, that in the absence of the prosurvival cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 5, Bax spontaneously underwent activation and initiated mitochondrial disruption. Inhibition of Bax resulted in less eosinophil apoptosis, even in the absence of cytokines. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induced activation of the kinase Erk1/2, which phosphorylated Thr167 of Bax; this facilitated new interaction of Bax with the prolyl isomerase Pin1. Blockade of Pin1 led to cleavage and mitochondrial translocation of Bax and caspase activation, regardless of the presence of cytokines. Our findings indicate that Pin1 is a key mediator of prosurvival signaling and is a regulator of Bax function.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-265
Number of pages9
JournalNature immunology
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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