S. Larisch et al., A novel mitochondrial septin-like protein, ARTS, mediates apoptosis dependent on its P-loop motif, NAT CELL BI, 2(12), 2000, pp. 915-921
Here we describe a protein product of the human septin H5/PNUTL2/CDCrel2b g
ene, which we call ARTS (for apoptosis-related protein in the TGF-beta sign
alling pathway). ARTS is expressed in many cells and acts to enhance cell d
eath induced by TGF-beta or, to a lesser extent, by other apoptotic agents.
Unlike related septin gene products, ARTS is localized to mitochondria and
translocates to the nucleus when apoptosis occurs. Mutation of the P-loop
of ARTS abrogates its competence to activate caspase 3 and to induce apopto
sis. Taken together, these observations expand the functional attributes of
septins previously described as having roles in cytokinesis and cellular m
orphogenesis.