Reactivation of Nedd-2, a developmentally down-regulated apoptotic gene, in apoptosis induced by a street strain of rabies virus

A laboratory strain of rabies virus has been reported to induce apoptosis i n experimental animals. The present study demonstrated that a bat strain an d a primary canine rabies virus isolate also induced apoptosis in vivo. Thi s death process involved reactivation of the caspase gene, Nedd-2, a develo pmentally down-regulated apoptotic gene. Expression of Nedd-2 was significa ntly up-regulated in infected adult and suckling mice. Reactivation of Nedd -2 in infected adult mice started at around day 3 and was prominent on day 5, The level of expression was constantly high up to the time that mice sho wed signs of illness. Expression of Nedd-2 correlated with the appearance o f apoptotic nuclei within the infected brain, suggesting that reactivation of developmentally down-regulated gene, Nedd-2, may be required for apoptot ic elimination of cells damaged by infection.