Evidence for existence of an apoptosis-inducing BH3-only protein, sayonara, in Drosophila

ABSTRACT: Cells need to sense stresses to initiate execution of the dormant cell death program. Since the discovery of the first BH3-only protein Bad, BH3-only proteins have been recognized as indispensable stress sensors that induce apoptosis. BH3-only proteins have so far not been identified in Drosophila despite their importance in other organisms. Here we identify the first Drosophila BH3-only protein and name it sayonara. Sayonara induces apoptosis in a BH3 motif-dependent manner and interacts genetically and biochemically with the BCL-2 homologous proteins, Buffy and Debcl. There is a positive feedback loop between Sayonara-mediated caspase activation and autophagy. The BH3 motif of sayonara phylogenetically appeared at the time of the ancestral gene duplication that led to the formation of Bu

SUBMITTER: Yuko Ikegawa 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMBJ_2021110454 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other