Premature p34cdc2 Activation Required for Apoptosis

L Shi, WK Nishioka, J Th'ng, EM Bradbury… - Science, 1994 - science.org
L Shi, WK Nishioka, J Th'ng, EM Bradbury, DW Litchfield, AH Greenberg
Science, 1994science.org
Activation of the serine-threonine kinase p34cdc2 at an inappropriate time during the cell
cycle leads to cell death that resembles apoptosis. Premature activation of p34cdc2 was
shown to be required for apoptosis induced by a lymphocyte granule protease. The kinase
was rapidly activated and tyrosine dephosphorylated at the initiation of apoptosis. DNA
fragmentation and nuclear collapse could be prevented by blocking p34cdc2 activity with
excess peptide substrate, or by inactivating p34cdc2 in a temperature-sensitive mutant …
Activation of the serine-threonine kinase p34cdc2 at an inappropriate time during the cell cycle leads to cell death that resembles apoptosis. Premature activation of p34cdc2 was shown to be required for apoptosis induced by a lymphocyte granule protease. The kinase was rapidly activated and tyrosine dephosphorylated at the initiation of apoptosis. DNA fragmentation and nuclear collapse could be prevented by blocking p34cdc2 activity with excess peptide substrate, or by inactivating p34cdc2 in a temperature-sensitive mutant. Premature p34cdc2 activation may be a general mechanism by which cells induced to undergo apoptosis initiate the disruption of the nucleus.
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