Human CARD12 is a novel CED4/Apaf-1 family member that induces apoptosis

The CED4/Apaf-1 family of proteins functions as critical regulators of apoptosis and NF-KB signaling pathways. A novel human member of this family, called CARD12, was identified that induces apoptosis when expressed in cells. CARD12 is most similar in structure to the CED4/Apaf-1 family member CARD4, and is comprised of an N-terminal caspase recruitment domain (CARD), a central nucleotide-binding site (NBS),;md a C-terminal domain of leucine-rich repeats (LRR). The CARD domain of CARD12 interacts selectively with the CARD domain of ASC, a recently identified pro-apoptotic protein. In addition, CARD12 coprecipitates caspase-1, a caspase that participates in both apoptotic signaling and cytokine processing. CARD12 may assemble with proapoptotic CARD proteins to coordinate the activation of downstream apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways. (C) 2001 Academic Press.