RESUMO
The CED4/Apaf-1 family of proteins functions as critical regulators of apoptosis and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. A novel human member of this family, called CARD12, was identified that induces apoptosis when expressed in cells. CARD12 is most similar in structure to the CED4/Apaf-1 family member CARD4, and is comprised of an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD), a central nucleotide-binding site (NBS), and a C-terminal domain of leucine-rich repeats (LRR). The CARD domain of CARD12 interacts selectively with the CARD domain of ASC, a recently identified proapoptotic protein. In addition, CARD12 coprecipitates caspase-1, a caspase that participates in both apoptotic signaling and cytokine processing. CARD12 may assemble with proapoptotic CARD proteins to coordinate the activation of downstream apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Proteínas de Caenorhabditis elegans , Proteínas de Ligação ao Cálcio/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Proteínas/genética , Animais , Especificidade de Anticorpos , Fator Apoptótico 1 Ativador de Proteases , Caspase 1/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Chlorocebus aethiops , DNA Complementar/genética , DNA Complementar/isolamento & purificação , Bases de Dados Factuais , Expressão Gênica , Genes Reporter , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Rim/citologia , Rim/metabolismo , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Família Multigênica , Especificidade de Órgãos , Estrutura Terciária de Proteína/fisiologia , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Transfecção , Técnicas do Sistema de Duplo-Híbrido , Células VeroRESUMO
Gamma-enolase is a glycolytic enzyme that is found in high concentration in neural and neuroendocrine tissues. The enzyme has been considered clinically useful as a tumor marker in the evaluation of small-cell undifferentiated malignancies. A preliminary report suggested that gamma-enolase activity may be used in the assessment of the malignant potential of choroidal melanoma. To test this hypothesis and document the distribution of gamma-enolase in the eye, we studied the immunohistochemical activity of gamma-enolase in six eyes from persons with choroidal melanoma. Although no correlation could be found with gamma-enolase activity and tumor size or tumor cell type, the distribution of gamma-enolase in normal retina and optic nerve was described. The areas of greatest immunohistochemical reactivity were the perikaryon of ganglion cells, inner and outer plexiform layers, and the nerve axons of the nerve fiber layer and optic nerve. Gamma-enolase may be a potentially useful marker of retinal and optic nerve glycolysis, and of neuronal function.
