Caspase-8 promotes cell motility and calpain activity under nonapoptotic conditions

Cancer Res. 2006 Apr 15;66(8):4273-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-4183.

Abstract

Significant caspase-8 activity has been found in normal and certain tumor cells, suggesting that caspase-8 possesses an alternative, nonapoptotic function that may contribute to tumor progression. In this article, we report that caspase-8 promotes cell motility. In particular, caspase-8 is required for the optimal activation of calpains, Rac, and lamellipodial assembly. This represents a novel nonapoptotic function of caspase-8 acting at the intersection of the caspase-8 and calpain proteolytic pathways to coordinate cell death versus cell motility signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Calpain / deficiency
  • Calpain / metabolism*
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspases / deficiency
  • Caspases / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout

Substances

  • Calpain
  • Casp8 protein, mouse
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspases

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