Apoptotic signals are delivered to caspase-3, -9, or both in different cells via the death receptor (Fas/FasL), mitochondria (Bax/Bcl-2) or by the ER through initiators of caspase-8, -9, or -12. FK506-induced apoptosis was characterized by nuclear fragmentation and caspase 3 activation.
Expression of Grp78 and Grp94/BiP, PERK, and CHOP proteins was also identified.
The CHOP protein is a key protein in the ER stress protein–mediated apoptotic pathway. FK506 dose-dependently decreases Jurkat cell viability by activating apoptosis signaling and inducing ER stress proteins.