关键词: 细胞凋亡, NF-κB活化, 调控

Abstract: Apoptosis is a cellular suicide program that is controlled by a cell's gene products. NF-κB is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that regulates the expression of an exceptionally large number of genes, including those involved in anti-apoptosis effects. Abnormality of apoptosis and NF-κB activation may lead to numerous human diseases. The goal of this project is to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of the signal transduction pathway of apoptosis and NF-κB activation. A cell-free apoptosis inducing system consisting of a mixture of X. laevis egg extracts was developed. By using this system, the research group of Dr. SHU and Prof. ZHAI identified apoptotic nuclease and it's inhibitor in X. laevis cells; investigated the effects of Phosphocreatine and Nucleoplasmin in apoptosis process. Seven novel genes regulating NF-κB activation were also cloned, and the new functions of five known genes in NF-κB activation regulation were identified. The authors firstly reported Cytochrome C release and caspase activation during apoptosis in plants.

Key words: apoptosis, NF-κB activation, regulation