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AIF promotes chromatinolysis and caspase‐independent programmed necrosis by interacting with histone H2AX
Author(s) -
Artus Cédric,
Boujrad Hanan,
Bouharrour Aïda,
Brunelle MarieNoëlle,
Hoos Sylviane,
Yuste Victor J,
Lenormand Pascal,
Rousselle JeanClaude,
Namane Abdelkader,
England Patrick,
Lorenzo Hans K,
Susin Santos A
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/emboj.2010.43
Subject(s) - biology , apoptosis inducing factor , programmed cell death , cypa , microbiology and biotechnology , poly adp ribose polymerase , histone , dna damage , necrosis , apoptosis , caspase , cyclophilin a , polymerase , dna , genetics
Programmed necrosis induced by DNA alkylating agents, such as MNNG, is a caspase‐independent mode of cell death mediated by apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF). After poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1, calpain, and Bax activation, AIF moves from the mitochondria to the nucleus where it induces chromatinolysis and cell death. The mechanisms underlying the nuclear action of AIF are, however, largely unknown. We show here that, through its C‐terminal proline‐rich binding domain (PBD, residues 543–559), AIF associates in the nucleus with histone H2AX. This interaction regulates chromatinolysis and programmed necrosis by generating an active DNA‐degrading complex with cyclophilin A (CypA). Deletion or directed mutagenesis in the AIF C‐terminal PBD abolishes AIF/H2AX interaction and AIF‐mediated chromatinolysis. H2AX genetic ablation or CypA downregulation confers resistance to programmed necrosis. AIF fails to induce chromatinolysis in H2AX or CypA‐deficient nuclei. We also establish that H2AX is phosphorylated at Ser139 after MNNG treatment and that this phosphorylation is critical for caspase‐independent programmed necrosis. Overall, our data shed new light in the mechanisms regulating programmed necrosis, elucidate a key nuclear partner of AIF, and uncover an AIF apoptogenic motif.