Anti-apoptotic use of human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase with two consecutive pro-apoptotic mediators

Abstract

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are the enzymes catalyzing ligation of their cognate amino acids and tRNAs. Human glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (QRS) consists of the unique N-terminal extension (236 aa) and the C-terminal catalytic domain (539 aa). Here, we found that the N- and C-domains of QRS interacted with pro-apoptotic mediator, Daxx, and its downstream kinase, ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase), respectively. The experimental results suggest that QRS may inhibit the ASK1 activity via two different ways. First, its C-terminal domain made direct inhibitory interaction with ASK1. Second, it inhibited the pro-apoptotic interaction between Daxx and ASK1. QRS also blocked the Daxx-ASK1 mediated apoptosis. Thus, QRS is not only an enzyme for protein synthesis but also plays a regulatory role in apoptosis

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