Decheng Ren

Stepwise activation of BAX and BAK by tBID, BIM, and PUMA initiates mitochondrial apoptosis.

While activation of BAX/BAK by BH3-only molecules (BH3s) is essential for mitochondrial apoptosis, the underlying mechanisms remain unsettled. Here we demonstrate that BAX undergoes stepwise structural reorganization leading to mitochondrial targeting and homo-oligomerization. The alpha1 helix of BAX keeps the alpha9 helix engaged in the dimerization pocket, rendering BAX as a monomer in cytosol. The activator BH3s, tBID/BIM/PUMA, attack and expose the alpha1 helix of BAX, resulting in secondary disengagement of the alpha9 helix and thereby mitochondrial insertion. Activator BH3s remain associated with the N-terminally exposed BAX through the BH1 domain to drive homo-oligomerization. BAK, an integral mitochondrial membrane protein, has bypassed the first activation step, explaining why its killing kinetics are faster than those of BAX. Furthermore, death signals initiated at ER induce BIM and PUMA to activate mitochondrial apoptosis. Accordingly, deficiency of Bim/Puma impedes ER stress-induced BAX/BAK activation and apoptosis. Our study provides mechanistic insights regarding the spatiotemporal execution of BAX/BAK-governed cell death.

BID, BIM, and PUMA Are Essential for Activation of the BAX- and BAK-Dependent Cell Death Program

Deadly Trio The proteins BAX and BAK act as a key decision point, regulating apoptosis by controlling the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Evidence has been presented for two mechanisms of activation of BAX and BAK: an indirect mechanism where proapoptotic proteins neutralize the antiapoptotic effects of the protein BCL-2 and its relatives; or direct activation of BAX and BAK by BIM, BID, or PUMA. Analysis of the situation in vivo is complicated by the overlapping function of BIM, BID, and PUMA. Ren et al. (p. 1390; see the Perspective by Martin) thus analyzed triple-knockout mice lacking BIM, BID, and PUMA. Apoptosis during mouse development required a direct effect of one of these proteins to activate BAX or BAK, thereby promoting cell death. Proapoptotic proteins act directly on mitochondrial “gatekeeper” proteins to initiate apoptotic events during mouse development. Although the proteins BAX and BAK are required for initiation of apoptosis at the mitochondria, how BAX and BAK are activated remains unsettled. We provide in vivo evidence demonstrating an essential role of the proteins BID, BIM, and PUMA in activating BAX and BAK. Bid, Bim, and Puma triple-knockout mice showed the same developmental defects that are associated with deficiency of Bax and Bak, including persistent interdigital webs and imperforate vaginas. Genetic deletion of Bid, Bim, and Puma prevented the homo-oligomerization of BAX and BAK, and thereby cytochrome c–mediated activation of caspases in response to diverse death signals in neurons and T lymphocytes, despite the presence of other BH3-only molecules. Thus, many forms of apoptosis require direct activation of BAX and BAK at the mitochondria by a member of the BID, BIM, or PUMA family of proteins.

The p53-cathepsin axis cooperates with ROS to activate programmed necrotic death upon DNA damage

Three forms of cell death have been described: apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and necrosis. Although genetic and biochemical studies have formulated a detailed blueprint concerning the apoptotic network, necrosis is generally perceived as a passive cellular demise resulted from unmanageable physical damages. Here, we conclude an active de novo genetic program underlying DNA damage-induced necrosis, thus assigning necrotic cell death as a form of “programmed cell death.” Cells deficient of the essential mitochondrial apoptotic effectors, BAX and BAK, ultimately succumbed to DNA damage, exhibiting signature necrotic characteristics. Importantly, this genotoxic stress-triggered necrosis was abrogated when either transcription or translation was inhibited. We pinpointed the p53-cathepsin axis as the quintessential framework underlying necrotic cell death. p53 induces cathepsin Q that cooperates with reactive oxygen species (ROS) to execute necrosis. Moreover, we presented the in vivo evidence of p53-activated necrosis in tumor allografts. Current study lays the foundation for future experimental and therapeutic discoveries aimed at “programmed necrotic death.”

An interconnected hierarchical model of cell death regulation by the BCL-2 family

Multidomain pro-apoptotic BAX and BAK, once activated, permeabilize mitochondria to trigger apoptosis, whereas anti-apoptotic BCL-2 members preserve mitochondrial integrity. The BH3-only molecules (BH3s) promote apoptosis by either activating BAX–BAK or inactivating anti-apoptotic members. Here, we present biochemical and genetic evidence that NOXA is a bona fide activator BH3. Using combinatorial gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches in Bid−/−Bim−/−Puma−/−Noxa−/− and Bax−/−Bak−/− cells, we have constructed an interconnected hierarchical model that accommodates and explains how the intricate interplays between the BCL-2 members dictate cellular survival versus death. BID, BIM, PUMA and NOXA directly induce stepwise, bimodal activation of BAX–BAK. BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1 inhibit both modes of BAX–BAK activation by sequestering activator BH3s and ‘BH3-exposed’ monomers of BAX–BAK, respectively. Furthermore, autoactivation of BAX and BAK can occur independently of activator BH3s through downregulation of BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1. Our studies lay a foundation for targeting the BCL-2 family for treating diseases with dysregulated apoptosis.

Bax and Bak do not exhibit functional redundancy in mediating radiation-induced endothelial apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa.

PURPOSE To address in vivo the issue of whether Bax and Bak are functionally redundant in signaling apoptosis, capable of substituting for each other. METHODS AND MATERIALS Mice were exposed to whole-body radiation, and endothelial cell apoptosis was quantified using double immunostaining with TUNEL and anti-CD31 antibody. Crypt survival was determined at 3.5 days after whole-body radiation by the microcolony survival assay. Actuarial animal survival was calculated by the product-limit Kaplan-Meier method, and autopsies were performed to establish cause of death. RESULTS Radiation exposure of Bax- and Bak-deficient mice, both expressing a wild-type acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) phenotype, indicated that Bax and Bak are both mandatory, though mutually independent, for the intestinal endothelial apoptotic response. However, neither affected epithelial apoptosis at crypt positions 4-5, indicating specificity toward endothelium. Furthermore, Bax deficiency and Bak deficiency each individually mimicked ASMase deficiency in inhibiting crypt lethality in the microcolony assay and in rescuing mice from the lethal gastrointestinal syndrome. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that Bax and Bak have nonredundant functional roles in the apoptotic response of the irradiated intestinal endothelium. The observation that Bax deficiency and Bak deficiency also protect crypts in the microcolony assay provides strong evidence that the microvascular apoptotic component is germane to the mechanism of radiation-induced damage to mouse intestines, regulating reproductive cell death of crypt stem cell clonogens.

The VDAC2-BAK Rheostat Controls Thymocyte Survival

The relative abundance of an anion channel and a proapoptotic protein determines thymocyte responses to death signals. Finessing Death Because of their roles as proapoptotic members of the BCL-2 family of proteins, BAK and BAX must be carefully controlled. These proteins trigger the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in response to death signals by undergoing homo-oligomerization, a process that is modulated by other members of the BCL-2 family. In addition, BAK, but not BAX, is kept in check by its interaction with the outer mitochondrial membrane porin protein VDAC2 (voltage-dependent anion channel 2), which prevents its oligomerization. Ren et al. deleted Vdac2 specifically in mouse thymocytes and found that these cells were more sensitive to various death signals, including that triggered by stimulation of the T cell receptor, than were thymocytes from control mice. The proapoptotic phenotype of these cells was rescued by concomitant deletion of Bak, but not Bax, thus providing in vivo evidence of the importance of the balance in the relative abundance of VDAC2 and BAX in determining responses to death signals. The proapoptotic proteins BAX and BAK constitute the mitochondrial apoptotic gateway that executes cellular demise after integrating death signals. The lethal BAK is kept in check by voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2), a mammalian-restricted VDAC isoform. Here, we provide evidence showing a critical role for the VADC2-BAK complex in determining thymocyte survival in vivo. Genetic depletion of Vdac2 in the thymus resulted in excessive cell death and hypersensitivity to diverse death stimuli including engagement of the T cell receptor. These phenotypes were completely rescued by the concurrent deletion of Bak but not that of Bax. Thus, the VDAC2-BAK axis provides a mechanism that governs the homeostasis of thymocytes. Our study reveals a sophisticated built-in rheostat that likely fine-tunes immune competence to balance autoimmunity and immunodeficiency.

Role of BH3-Only Molecules Bim and Puma in β-Cell Death in Pdx1 Deficiency

Mutations in pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1) are associated with diabetes in humans. Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice develop diabetes due to an increase in β-cell death leading to reduced β-cell mass. For definition of the molecular link between Pdx1 deficiency and β-cell death, Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice in which the genes for the BH3-only molecules Bim and Puma had been ablated were studied on a high-fat diet. Compared with Pdx1+/− mice, animals haploinsufficient for both Pdx1 and Bim or Puma genes showed improved glucose tolerance, enhanced β-cell mass, and reduction in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in islets. These results suggest that Bim and Puma ablation improves β-cell survival in Pdx1+/− mice. For exploration of the mechanisms responsible for these findings, Pdx1 gene expression was knocked down in mouse MIN6 insulinoma cells resulting in apoptotic cell death that was found to be associated with increased expression of BH3-only molecules Bim and Puma. If the upregulation of Bim and Puma that occurs during Pdx1 suppression was prevented, apoptotic β-cell death was reduced in vitro. These results suggest that Bim and Puma play an important role in β-cell apoptosis in Pdx1-deficient diabetes.

BH3-Only Molecule Bim Mediates β-Cell Death in IRS2 Deficiency

Irs2-deficient mice develop type 2–like diabetes due to a reduction in β-cell mass and a failure of pancreatic islets to undergo compensatory hyperplasia in response to insulin resistance. In order to define the molecular mechanisms, we knocked down Irs2 gene expression in mouse MIN6 insulinoma cells. Insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) suppression induced apoptotic cell death, which was associated with an increase in expression of the BH3-only molecule Bim. Knockdown (KD) of Bim reduced apoptotic β-cell death induced by IRS2 suppression. In Irs2-deficient mice, Bim ablation restored β-cell mass, decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and restored normal glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. FoxO1 mediates Bim upregulation induced by IRS2 suppression, and FoxO1 KD partially inhibits β-cell death induced by IRS2 suppression. These results suggest that Bim plays an important role in mediating the increase in β-cell apoptosis and the reduction in β-cell mass that occurs in IRS2-deficient diabetes.

Pancreatic β-Cell Death due to Pdx-1 Deficiency Requires Multi-BH Domain Protein Bax but Not Bak

Diabetes develops in Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice due to an increase in β-cell death leading to reduced β-cell mass and decreased insulin secretion. Knockdown of Pdx1 gene expression in mouse MIN6 insulinoma cells induced apoptotic cell death with an increase in Bax activation and knockdown of Bax reduced apoptotic β-cell death. In Pdx1 haploinsufficient mice, Bax ablation in β-cells increased β-cell mass, decreased the number of TUNEL positive cells and improved glucose tolerance after glucose challenge. These changes were not observed with Bak ablation in Pdx1-haploinsufficient mice. These results suggest that Bax mediates β-cell apoptosis in Pdx1-deficient diabetes.