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Elsevier, Journal of Biological Chemistry, 42(288), p. 30009-30018, 2013

DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.443093

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The Bcl-2 Homology Domain 3 (BH3)-only Proteins Bim and Bid Are Functionally Active and Restrained by Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 Family Proteins in Healthy Liver*

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Background and Aim: An intrinsic pathway of apoptosis is regulated by the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins. We previously reported that a fine rheostatic balance between the anti- and pro-apoptotic multi-domain Bcl-2 family proteins controls hepatocyte apoptosis in the healthy liver. The Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-only proteins set this rheostatic balance toward apoptosis upon activation in the diseased liver. However, their involvement in healthy Bcl-2 rheostasis remains unknown. In the present study, we focused on two BH3-only proteins, Bim and Bid, and we clarified the Bcl-2 network that governs hepatocyte life and death in the healthy liver. Methods: We generated hepatocyte-specific Bcl-xL- or Mcl-1-knockout mice, with or without disrupting Bim and/or Bid, and we examined hepatocyte apoptosis under physiological conditions. We also examined the effect of both Bid and Bim disruption on the hepatocyte apoptosis caused by the inhibition of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. Results: Spontaneous hepatocyte apoptosis in Bcl-xL- or Mcl-1-knockout mice was significantly ameliorated by Bim deletion. The disruption of both Bim and Bid completely prevented hepatocyte apoptosis in Bcl-xL-knockout mice and weakened massive hepatocyte apoptosis via the additional in vivo knockdown of mcl-1 in these mice. Finally, the hepatocyte apoptosis caused by ABT-737, which is a Bcl-xL/Bcl-2/Bcl-w inhibitor, was completely prevented in Bim/Bid double knockout mice. Conclusion: The BH3-only proteins Bim and Bid are functionally active but are restrained by the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins under physiological conditions. Hepatocyte integrity is maintained by the dynamic and well-orchestrated Bcl-2 network in the healthy liver.