We recently cloned DEDD, a DED containing DNA binding protein and found it to be abundantly expressed in all cells. DEDD from Man, rat and mouse are virtually identical suggesting that it exerts an important function. DEDD is a good candidate to study how cytoplasmic events affect nuclear processes since during CD95 mediated apoptosis cytoplasmic DEDD enters the nucleus. DEDD is the only known protein that translocates from cytoplasm to nucleus in a caspase-dependent manner. We are currently characterizing various components of the CD95 apoptosis pathway in more detail and are applying in vivo mouse models to test some of the components and apoptosis signaling mechanisms we have identified in vitro.
Authors share senior authorship.
EMBO J. 17, 5974-5986.