dXNP, a Drosophila homolog of XNP/ATRX, induces apoptosis via Jun-N-terminal kinase activation

XNP1ATRX, a causative gene of X-linked alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome, encodes an SNF2 family ATPase/helicase protein. To better understand the role of XNP/ATRX in development, we isolated and characterized a Drosophila XNP/ATRX homolog, dXNP, which contains highly conserved STNF2 and helicase domains. Ectopically expressed dXNP induced strong apoptosis in the developing eye and wing, but did not affect cell cycle progression or the expression of wingless and engrailed, essential regulators of development. The dXNP-induced apoptosis was strongly suppressed by DJNKKI hemipterous mutation, and dXNP increased JNK activity. Taken together, these results suggest that dXNP regulates apoptosis via JNK activation. (c) 2007 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.