Apoptosome protein Dark

UniProtKB accession:  Q7KLI1

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  Main component of the apoptosome, an adapter protein complex that mediates activation of the caspase cascade in programmed cell death initiated by the intrinsic apoptosis pathway (PubMed:10984473, PubMed:16310803, PubMed:21220123, PubMed:25644603, PubMed:27916517). Recruits the initiator caspase Dronc, promoting its autocatalytic cleavage and activation; triggers the caspase cascade upstream of the effector caspases Drice and dcp-1 (PubMed:10619022, PubMed:10619023, PubMed:10984473, PubMed:21220123, PubMed:25644603). Effector of reaper, grim and hid induced cell killing (PubMed:10559939, PubMed:10619023, PubMed:16645639). Produces at least two isoforms that may activate distinct caspases by separate pathways (PubMed:10619023). Nucleotide binding protein with strong specificity for dATP; dATP binding is not essential, but promotes homooligomerization to form the apoptosome complex (PubMed:10619022, PubMed:10619023, PubMed:16310803, PubMed:21220123, PubMed:25644603, PubMed:27916517). There is currently no evidence of dATPase activity and structural analysis of the nucleotide binding pocket suggests negligible to no dATPase activity (Probable). Caspase activation by the apoptosome was initially thought to be dependent on binding of cytochrome c released from mitochondria, as is the case for vertebrate orthologs (PubMed:10619022, PubMed:10619023). Apoptosis induction by the Dark apoptosome appears to be cytochrome c independent (PubMed:11901172). Required for stress-induced apoptosis, for example in response to radiation (UV or gamma) or treatment with macromolecular synthesis inhibitors like cycloheximide and actinomycin D (PubMed:11901172, PubMed:16533943). Required for most, but not all programmed cell death during embryonic development (PubMed:16645639). Involved in developmental cell number regulation by apoptosis, particularly during neuronal and sensory organ development (PubMed:10559939, PubMed:10619022, PubMed:10619023, PubMed:16533943, PubMed:16645639). Involved in reduction of midline glial cell numbers by programmed cell death during embryogenesis (PubMed:16645639). During metamorphosis involved in removal of larval salivary glands by programmed cell death, but not of the larval midgut (PubMed:16533943).