DIRECT PHYSICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS DEATH PROTEINS CED-3 AND CED-4

The two genes CED-4 and CED-3 (the nematode homologue of interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme, ICE) of Caenorhabditis elegans are implicated in the control of cell death, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown, Here we provide evidence that CED-3 and CED-3 both contain sequences with homology to a domain present in RAIDD and the prodomai n of certain ICE-like proteases (caspases). This domain is known to es tablish an interaction between RAIDD and these caspases. Similarly, CE D-4 was found to interact with CED-3. Thus, the activity of the death protease CED-3 appears to be controlled by CED-4 through a direct phys ical interaction. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societie s.