measuring-composition-cd95-death-inducing-signaling-complex

Measuring Composition of CD95 Death-Inducing Signaling Complex and Processing of Procaspase-8 in this Complex

Extrinsic apoptosis is mediated by the activation of death receptors (DRs) such as CD95/Fas/APO-1 or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ...

Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

The development of efficient combinatorial treatments is one of the key tasks in modern anti-cancer therapies. An apoptotic signal can either be induced by activation of death receptors (DR) (extrinsic pathway) or via the mitochondria (intrinsic pathway). Cancer cells are characterized by deregulation of both pathways. Procaspase-8 activation in extrinsic apoptosis is controlled by c-FLIP proteins. We have recently reported the small molecules FLIPinB/FLIPinBγ targeting c-FLIP in the caspase-8/c-FLIP heterodimer. These small molecules enhanced caspase-8 activity in the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), CD95L/TRAIL-induced caspase-3/7 activation and subsequent apoptosis. In this study to increase the pro-apoptotic effects of FLIPinB/FLIPinBγ and enhance its therapeutic potential we investigated costimulatory effects of FLIPinB/FLIPinBγ in combination with the pharmacological inhibitors of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members such as ABT-263 and S63845. The combination of these inhibitors together with FLIPinB/FLIPinBγ increased CD95L-induced cell viability loss, caspase activation and apoptosis. Taken together, our study suggests new approaches for the development of combinatorial anti-cancer therapies specifically targeting both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.

Laura K. Hillert-Richter

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