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Casp8p41 generated by HIV protease kills CD4 T cells through direct Bak activation.

The Journal of cell biology | 2014

Previous studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease cleaves procaspase 8 to a fragment, termed Casp8p41, that lacks caspase activity but nonetheless contributes to T cell apoptosis. Herein, we show that Casp8p41 contains a domain that interacts with the BH3-binding groove of pro-apoptotic Bak to cause Bak oligomerization, Bak-mediated membrane permeabilization, and cell death. Levels of active Bak are higher in HIV-infected T cells that express Casp8p41. Conversely, targeted mutations in the Bak-interacting domain diminish Bak binding and Casp8p41-mediated cell death. Similar mutations in procaspase 8 impair the ability of HIV to kill infected T cells. These observations support a novel paradigm in which HIV converts a normal cellular constituent into a direct activator that functions like a BH3-only protein.

Pubmed ID: 25246614 RIS Download

Research resources used in this publication

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Associated grants

  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: P30 AI027767
  • Agency: NCATS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: KL2 TR000136
  • Agency: NCI NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 CA166741
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R56 AI102959
  • Agency: NIAID NIH HHS, United States
    Id: R01 AI110173
  • Agency: NIGMS NIH HHS, United States
    Id: T32 GM072474

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