BCL-2-family protein tBID can act as a BAX-like effector of apoptosis

Hector Flores-Romero, Lisa Hohorst, Malina John, Marie Christine Albert, Louise E. King, Laura Beckmann, Tamas Szabo, Vanessa Hertlein, Xu Luo, Andreas Villunger, Lukas P. Frenzel, Hamid Kashkar, Ana J. Garcia-Saez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

During apoptosis, the BCL-2-family protein tBID promotes mitochondrial permeabilization by activating BAX and BAK and by blocking anti-apoptotic BCL-2 members. Here, we report that tBID can also mediate mitochondrial permeabilization by itself, resulting in release of cytochrome c and mitochondrial DNA, caspase activation and apoptosis even in absence of BAX and BAK. This previously unrecognized activity of tBID depends on helix 6, homologous to the pore-forming regions of BAX and BAK, and can be blocked by pro-survival BCL-2 proteins. Importantly, tBID-mediated mitochondrial permeabilization independent of BAX and BAK is physiologically relevant for SMAC release in the immune response against Shigella infection. Furthermore, it can be exploited to kill leukaemia cells with acquired venetoclax resistance due to lack of active BAX and BAK. Our findings define tBID as an effector of mitochondrial permeabilization in apoptosis and provide a new paradigm for BCL-2 proteins, with implications for anti-bacterial immunity and cancer therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere108690
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume41
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Immunology and Microbiology(all)

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