SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF CPP32 IN SENSORY NEURONS OF MOUSE EMBRYOS AND ACTIVATION OF CPP32 IN THE APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY A WITHDRAWAL OF NGF

We isolated mouse CPP32/apopain cDNA, a mammalian homologue most close ly related to Ced-3 in C. elegans, and examined the involvement of CPP 32 isl the apoptosis of nervous system during development. CPP32 is sp ecifically expressed in the trigeminal (V) ganglia, facio-acoustic (VI I-VIII) ganglion complex, and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of mouse 10.5 -day embryos, CPP32-like proteases are activated during apoptosis of D RG neurons induced by deprivation of NGF and serum. Ac-DEVD-CHO, an in hibitor for CPP32-like proteases, prevents apoptosis of DRG neurons, b ut Ac-YVAD-CHO, an inhibitor for ICE-like proteases, does not. These r esults suggest that CPP32 or CPP32-like proteases play a sole as centr al mediator in the apoptosis of DRG neurons induced by lack of neurotr ophin signals. (C) 1997 Academic Press.