Activation of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase, PKR, induces apoptosis through FADD-mediated death signaling

Siddharth Balachandran, Caryn N. Kim, Wen Chen Yeh, Tak W. Mak, Kapil Bhalla, Glen N. Barber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

316 Scopus citations

Abstract

The dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is considered to play a key role in interferon-mediated host defense against viral infection and conceivably malignant transformation. To investigate further the mechanisms of PKR-induced growth inhibition, we have developed tetracycline-inducible murine cell lines that express wild-type PKR or a catalytically inactive PKR variant, PKRΔ6. Following induction, the growth of the wild-type PKR-expressing cells was similar to that of cells transfected with vector alone, while cells expressing PKRΔ6 became malignantly transformed. Significantly, treatment with dsRNA caused the wild-type PKR-overexpressing cells to undergo programed cell death while, conversely, cells expressing PKRΔ6 were completely resistant. Our studies demonstrated that activation of PKR induces the expression of members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family, including Fas (CD95/Apo-1) and pro-apopotic Bax. In contrast, transcripts representing Fas, TNFR-1, FADD (Fas-associated death domain), FLICE, Bad and Bax were ablated in cells expressing PKRΔ6. The involvement of the death receptors in PKR-induced apoptosis was underscored by demonstrating that murine fibroblasts lacking FADD were almost completely resistant to dsRNA-mediated cell death. Thus, PKR, a key cellular target for viral repression, is a receptor/inducer for the induction of pro-apoptotic genes by dsRNA and probably functions in interferon-mediated host defense to trigger cell death in response to virus infection and perhaps tumorigenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6888-6902
Number of pages15
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume17
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1998

Keywords

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Carrier Proteins/metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein
  • Gene Expression
  • Mice
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Signal Transduction
  • eIF-2 Kinase/metabolism
  • fas Receptor/metabolism

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