The mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, MAVS, is cleaved during apoptosis

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 375; no. 1; pp. 101 - 106
• Main Authors: Scott, Iain, Norris, Kristi L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 10-10-2008
• Subjects: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - genetics; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - metabolism; Apoptosis; bcl-X Protein - metabolism; Cardif; Caspase; Caspases - metabolism; Cleavage; DNA Virus Infections - metabolism; DNA, Viral - genetics; DNA, Viral - metabolism; HeLa Cells; Humans; Innate immunity; IPS-1; MAVS; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondrial Membranes - metabolism; Mitochondrial Proteins - genetics; Mitochondrial Proteins - metabolism; Proteasome; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex - metabolism; RNA Virus Infections - metabolism; RNA, Viral - genetics; RNA, Viral - metabolism; Transfection; MAVS; Mitochondria; Caspase; Innate immunity; Cleavage; IPS-1; Cardif; Apoptosis; Proteasome
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.07.147

Apoptosis of virus-infected cells is one important host strategy used to limit viral infection. Recently a member of the innate immune signaling pathway, MAVS, was localized to mitochondria, an organelle important for apoptosis regulation. Here we investigate what role MAVS may play in apoptosis. Induction of cell death led to the rapid cleavage of MAVS, resulting in its release from the outer mitochondrial membrane. This cleavage is blocked in cells incubated with proteasome or caspase inhibitors. Transfection of synthetic viral dsRNA and dsDNA also led to cleavage of MAVS, indicating that this process may be important during infection. Preventing apoptosis by over-expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL blocks MAVS cleavage, placing this process downstream of caspase activation in the apoptotic program.