Caspase mediated cleavage of alpha-II-Fodrin

Apoptosis induced caspases cleave cortical actin network components including fodrin and components of the focal adhesion complex components which links membrane proteins and cortical actin filaments to the extracellular matrix (Janicke et al.,1998). Cleavage of these proteins results in disruption of the cortical cytoskeleton and may contribute to membrane blebbing (see Fischer et al., 2003). The full length 240 kDa alpha-fodrin protein can be cleaved at several sites within its sequence by activated caspases to yield amino-terminal 150 kDa, carboxy-terminal 120 kDa and 35 kDa major products. Cleavage of alpha-II fodrin leads to membrane malfunction and cell shrinkage (Janicke et al., 1998).

细胞凋亡诱导的caspase酶解皮质肌动蛋白网络成分，包括 fodrin 以及与膜蛋白和皮质肌动蛋白微丝相连接的粘附斑复合体成分（Janicke等，1998年）。这些蛋白质的切割导致皮质细胞骨架的破坏，并可能促成细胞膜泡状突起（参见Fischer等，2003年）。全长240 kDa的α-fodrin蛋白可在其序列的多个位点被激活的caspase酶切割，生成氨基末端150 kDa、羧基末端120 kDa和35 kDa的主要产物。α-II fodrin的切割会导致细胞膜功能障碍和细胞萎缩（Janicke等，1998年）。