An autoinhibited dimeric form of BAX regulates the BAX activation pathway Journal Article


Authors: Garner, T. P.; Reyna, D. E.; Priyadarshi, A.; Chen, H. C.; Li, S.; Wu, Y.; Ganesan, Y. T.; Malashkevich, V. N.; Almo, S. S.; Cheng, E. H.; Gavathiotis, E.
Article Title: An autoinhibited dimeric form of BAX regulates the BAX activation pathway
Abstract: Pro-apoptotic BAX is a cell fate regulator playing an important role in cellular homeostasis and pathological cell death. BAX is predominantly localized in the cytosol, where it has a quiescent monomer conformation. Following a pro-apoptotic trigger, cytosolic BAX is activated and translocates to the mitochondria to initiate mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Here, cellular, biochemical, and structural data unexpectedly demonstrate that cytosolic BAX also has an inactive dimer conformation that regulates its activation. The full-length crystal structure of the inactive BAX dimer revealed an asymmetric interaction consistent with inhibition of the N-terminal conformational change of one protomer and the displacement of the C-terminal helix α9 of the second protomer. This autoinhibited BAX dimer dissociates to BAX monomers before BAX can be activated. Our data support a model whereby the degree of apoptosis induction is regulated by the conformation of cytosolic BAX and identify an unprecedented mechanism of cytosolic BAX inhibition. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
Journal Title: Molecular Cell
Volume: 63
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1097-2765
Publisher: Cell Press  
Date Published: 2016-08-04
Start Page: 485
End Page: 497
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.06.010
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4975667
PUBMED: 27425408
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 6 December 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Emily H Cheng
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  2. Hui-Chen   Chen
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