PubMed · 14976035
Caspase-3 has a nonapoptotic function in erythroid maturation.
Abstract
Caspase-3 plays a central role in apoptosis. It is also activated in normal erythropoiesis, with its activity peaking early during development (erythroid colony-forming unit [CFU-E] stage). In the present study, we have reduced the expression and subsequent enzymatic activity of caspase-3 by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed to caspase-3 in a differentiating human erythroid culture system. We find that siRNA treatment yields a 50% reduction in cells that undergo enucleation with no change in the fraction of cells that undergo apoptosis, measured throughout the culture. Furthermore, a substantial fraction of treated cells are unable to complete the transition from pronormoblasts to basophilic normoblasts. These results demonstrate that caspase-3 is required for efficient erythropoiesis in this model system.
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Graeme W Carlile, Deborah H Smith, Martin Wiedmann. 2004-02-19. Caspase-3 has a nonapoptotic function in erythroid maturation.. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2003-09-3362
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