An Alternatively Spliced C. elegans ced-4 RNA Encodes a Novel Cell Death Inhibitor

摘要: The C. elegans gene ced-4 is essential for programmed cell death. We report that encodes two transcripts and whereas the major transcript can cause death, minor act oppositely prevent thus defining a novel class of death inhibitors. That has both cell-killing cell-protective functions consistent with previous genetic studies. Our results suggest dual protective killer bcl-2-like ced-9 are mediated by inhibition functions, respectively. propose balance between opposing influences decision to live or die required