Increasing evidence suggests that Cyclin A-Cdk2 activity is required in the apoptosis process induced by various stimuli.To determine a specific substrate of Cyclin A-Cdk2 for apoptosis,in this study,we carried out an in vitro kinase assay using immunoprecipitated complex Cyclin A-Cdk2 as an enzyme source,and recombinant protein GST-Bad as a substrate.Our study showed that Bad was clearly phosphorylated by Cyclin A-Cdk2 in vitro.To examine whether protein Bad can also be phosphorylated by Cyclin A-Cdk2 kinase in vivo,we transiently overexpressed protein Bad with Cyclin A or Cdk2-dn,a dominant negative version of Cdk2,in Hela cells and determined the phosphorylation status of protein Bad.The test showed that protein Bad was clearly phosphorylated in Cyclin A overexpressed cells,but not in Cdk2-dn or mock transfectent.Moreover,etoposide also caused the phosphorylation of endogenetic Bad.In conclusion,here we provide first time evidence that protein Bad can be a substrate of Cyclin A-Cdk2 apoptosis for in vitro and in vivo.
HE KanCHEN YueLI Jing-huaZHAN ZhuoWU Yong-geKONG WeiJIN Ying-hua
