[HTML][HTML] Bcl-2 targets the protein kinase Raf-1 to mitochondria

HG Wang, UR Rapp, JC Reed - Cell, 1996 - cell.com
HG Wang, UR Rapp, JC Reed
Cell, 1996cell.com
A green fluorescent protein (GFP)–Raf-1 fusion protein was used to show that Bcl-2 can
target this kinase to mitochondria. Active Raf-1 fused with targeting sequences from an outer
mitochondrial membrane protein protected cells from apoptosis and resulted in
phosphorylation of BAD, a proapoptotic Bcl-2 homolog. Plasma membrane–targeted Raf-1
did not protect from apoptosis and resulted in phosphorylation of ERK-1 and ERK-2.
Untargeted active Raf-1 improved Bcl-2-mediated resistance to apoptosis, whereas a kinase …
Abstract
A green fluorescent protein (GFP)–Raf-1 fusion protein was used to show that Bcl-2 can target this kinase to mitochondria. Active Raf-1 fused with targeting sequences from an outer mitochondrial membrane protein protected cells from apoptosis and resulted in phosphorylation of BAD, a proapoptotic Bcl-2 homolog. Plasma membrane–targeted Raf-1 did not protect from apoptosis and resulted in phosphorylation of ERK-1 and ERK-2. Untargeted active Raf-1 improved Bcl-2-mediated resistance to apoptosis, whereas a kinase-inactive Raf-1 mutant abrogated apoptosis suppression by Bcl-2. Bcl-2 can therefore target Raf-1 to mitochondrial membranes, allowing this kinase to phosphorylate BAD or possibly other protein substrates involved in apoptosis regulation.
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