Abstract
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is a key intermediate in several central metabolic pathways of all organisms. Aldolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase are involved in the production or elimination of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate during glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, and are differentially expressed under various physiological conditions, including cancer, hypoxia, and apoptosis. In this study, we examine the effects of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate on cell survival and apoptosis. Overexpression of aldolase protected cells against apoptosis, and addition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to cells delayed apoptosis. Additionally, delayed apoptotic phenomena were observed when glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate was added to a cell-free system, in which artificial apoptotic process was induced by adding dATP and cytochrome c. Surprisingly, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate directly suppressed caspase-3 activity in a reversible noncompetitive mode, preventing caspase-dependent proteolysis. Based on these results, we suggest that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, a key molecule in several central metabolic pathways, functions as a molecule switch between cell survival and apoptosis.
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Jang, M., Kang, H.J., Lee, S.Y. et al. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, a glycolytic intermediate, plays a key role in controlling cell fate via inhibition of caspase activity. Mol Cells 28, 559–563 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-009-0151-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-009-0151-7