Triggering of T-cell apoptosis by toxin-related ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase ART2.

Cytotoxicity induced by protein ADP-ribosylation is a common theme of certain bacterial toxins and of the mammalian ectoenzyme ART2. Exposure of T cells to NAD, the substrate for ART2-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation, induces exposure of phosphatidylserine, uptake of propidium iodide, and fragmentation of DNA. ART2-specific antibodies raised by gene gun immunization block NAD-induced apoptosis. ART2 catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of cell membrane proteins induces formation of cytolytic membrane pores by activating the P2X7 purinoceptor. This alternative pathway to T cell apoptosis could be triggered upon the release of NAD from intracellular stores, for example, during inflammatory tissue damage.