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Protein-protein interactions

A PUMA mechanism unfolds

PUMA is a BCL-2 family protein that transmits stress signals to promote apoptosis. Upon DNA damage, a unique binding determinant within PUMA triggers partial unfolding of BCL-XL, resulting in the release of sequestered p53 and commitment to p53-dependent cell death.

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Figure 1: Induction of p53-dependent apoptosis by selective PUMABH3-mediated dissociation of the mitochondrial p53–BCL-XL complex.

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Correspondence to Loren D Walensky.

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Walensky, L. A PUMA mechanism unfolds. Nat Chem Biol 9, 141–143 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.1177

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