Article Abstract:
Researchers have achieved the biochemical identification of a human cell death protein whose sequence has similarities with the nematode protein CED-4. This work shows that genetic analysis of a simple organism can be combined with biochemistry of mammalian cells to great effect. It was possible to use a biochemical approach to analyze cytosolic proteins which can activate caspase-3, thus isolating several Apoptosis activating factors. Cleavage and activation of the caspase-3 precursor resulted when dATP was added to the purified proteins.
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Article Abstract:
Cell death is a physiological process that involves cell suicide which is aimed at sustaining their own viability. The mechanisms of cell death or apoptosis are used to control cell number and to remove infected, damaged or mutated cells. Thus, a great majority of cells produced during mammalian embryonic development are destined to die even before the perinatal period ends. In humans, 99% of cells undergo the same process of cell death. While a hundred thousand cells are produced by mitosis, a similar number die by apoptosis.
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Article Abstract:
A novel mammalian protein that may promote apoptosis by binding to and antagonizing IAP proteins has been identified. It is called DIABLO for 'direct IAP-binding protein with low pl.' Coimmunoprecipitation and 2D immobilized pH gradient/SDS PAGE was used, followed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.
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