Ca2+ binding to EF hands 1 and 3 is essential for the interaction of apoptosis-linked gene-2 with Alix/AIP1 in ocular melanoma.

ABSTRACT: Apoptosis-linked gene-2 (ALG-2) encodes a 22 kDa Ca(2+)-binding protein of the penta EF-hand family that is required for programmed cell death in response to various apoptotic agents. Here, we demonstrate that ALG-2 mRNA and protein are down-regulated in human uveal melanoma cells compared to their progenitor cells, normal melanocytes. The down regulation of ALG-2 may provide melanoma cells with a selective advantage. ALG-2 and its putative target molecule, Alix/AIP1, are localized primarily in the cytoplasm of melanocytes and melanoma cells independent of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration or the activation of apoptosis. Cross-linking and analytical centrifugation studies support a single-species dimer conformation of ALG-2, also independent of Ca(2+) concentration. However, binding o

SUBMITTER: Subramanian L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1351334 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature