Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

While the role of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 in dividing cells has long been recognized, Pin1's function in postmitotic neurons is poorly understood. We have identified a novel mechanism by which Pin1 mediates activation of the mitochondrial cell death machinery specifically in neurons. This perspective presents a sophisticated signaling pathway that triggers neuronal apoptosis upon JNK-mediated phosphorylation of the BH3-only protein BIM(EL) at serine 65. Pin1 is enriched at the mitochondria in neurons together with BIM(EL) and components of a neuron-specific JNK signaling complex and functions as a molecular switch that couples the phosphorylation of BIM(EL) by JNK to apoptosis specifically in neurons. We discuss how these findings relate to our understanding of the development of the nervous system and the pathogenesis of neurologic disorders.

Original publication

DOI

10.4161/cc.6.11.4316

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell Cycle

Publication Date

01/06/2007

Volume

6

Pages

1332 - 1335

Keywords

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Animals, Apoptosis, Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins, Bcl-2-Like Protein 11, Cell Compartmentation, Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Humans, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, Membrane Proteins, Mice, Mitochondria, Neoplasm Proteins, Nervous System Diseases, Neurons, Organ Specificity, Phosphorylation, Phosphoserine, Protein Conformation, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Protein Structure, Tertiary, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Rats, Signal Transduction