Primary cells suppress oncogene-dependent apoptosis

Oncogenes that promote cell-cycle progression also sensitize cells to agent s that induce apoptosis. Sensitization is thought to be caused by the induc tion of proapoptotic factors. Alternatively, sensitization may require the inactivation inhibitors that ordinarily provide protection against cell dea th. Here we show that the adenoviral oncogene EIA sensitizes cells to an an ti-cancer drug by at least two pathways. One establishes a link between the drug and pro-apoptotic factors, but is not sufficient for sensitization wi thout the second pathway, which suppresses inhibitors of apoptosis.