METHOD OF SCREENING APOPTOSIS-CONTROLLING AGENT

摘要

It is intended to provide a method of regulating apoptosis by using PAL31 and its homolog and a method of screening an apoptosis-regulating drug. It is found out that PAL31 has an effect of protecting cells from apoptosis. By the overexpression of PAL31, UV- or etoposide-induced apoptosis is inhibited. PAL31, which is the substrate of caspase 3, is cleaved by caspase 3 and the cleaved product cannot inhibit apoptosis but, to the contrary, inhibits the anti-apoptosis activity of PAL31. Therefore, a compound elevating the PAL31 expression level or inhibiting the decomposition of PAL31 is available as a drug for regulating apoptosis, while a compound lowering the PAL31 expression level or inhibiting the PAL31 activity is available as a drug for promoting apoptosis. It is expected that compounds obtained by the screening method are usable as drugs for various diseases in which apoptosis participates.