Transforming growth factor beta-dependent sequential activation of Smad, Bim, and caspase-9 mediates physiological apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated in the maintenance of homeostasis in various organs, including the gastric epithelium. In particular, TGF-beta-induced signaling was shown to be required for the differentiation-associated physiological apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells, but its mechanism has not been well understood. In this study, the molecular mechanism of TGF-beta-induced apoptosis was analyzed in a human gastric epithelial cell line, SNU16, as an in vitro model. Expression of Smad7 and Bcl-X(L), but not viral FLIP, was shown to prevent TGF-beta-induced apoptosis, indicating an exclusive requirement of the activation of Smad signaling pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction followed by activation of caspase-9. In addition, treatment with TGF-beta induced

SUBMITTER: Ohgushi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1280259 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature