A putative role of Drep1 in apoptotic DNA fragmentation system in fly is mediated by direct interaction with Drep2 and Drep4

DNA fragmentation is common phenomenon for apoptotic cell death. DNA fragmentation factor, called DFF40 (CAD: mouse homologue), is a main nuclease for apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Nuclease activity of DFF40 is normally inhibited by DFF45 by tight interaction via CIDE domain without apoptotic stimuli. Once effector caspase is activated during apoptosis signaling, it cleave DFF45, allowing DFF40 to enter the nucleus and cleave chromosomal DNA. Unlike mammalian system, apoptotic DNA fragmentation in the fly might be controlled by four DFF-related proteins, known as Drep1, Drep2, Drep3 and Drep4. Although the function of Drep1 and Drep4 is well known as DFF45 and DFF40 homologues, respectively, the function of Drep2 and Drep3 is still unclear. DFF-related proteins contain a conserved CIDE domain of ~90 amino acid residues that is involved in protein–protein interaction. Here, we showed that Drep1 directly bind to Drep2 as well as Drep4 via CIDE domain. In addition, we found that the interaction of Drep2 and Drep4 to Drep1 was not competitive indicating that Drep2 and Drep4 bind different place of Drep1. All together, we suggest that Drep1 might be involved in apoptotic DNA fragmentation of fly system by direct interaction with Drep2 as well as Drep4.