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    Cell. 1997 Apr 18;89(2):175-84.

    DFF, a heterodimeric protein that functions downstream of caspase-3 to trigger DNA fragmentation during apoptosis.

    Liu X, Zou H, Slaughter C, Wang X.

    Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235, USA.

    We have identified and purified from HeLa cytosol a protein that induces DNA fragmentation in coincubated nuclei after it is activated by caspase-3. This protein, designated DNA Fragmentation Factor (DFF), is a heterodimer of 40 kDa and 45 kDa subunits. The amino acid sequence of the 45 kDa subunit, determined from its cDNA sequence, reveals it to be a novel protein. Caspase-3 cleaves the 45 kDa subunit at two sites to generate an active factor that produces DNA fragmentation without further requirement for caspase-3 or other cytosolic proteins. In cells undergoing apoptosis, the 45 kDa subunit is cleaved in the same pattern as it is cleaved by caspase-3 in vitro. These data delineate a direct signal transduction pathway during apoptosis: caspase-3 to DFF to DNA fragmentation.

    PMID: 9108473 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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