RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor protein involved in death receptor-dependent apoptosis utilizing the Bax-interacting protein MOAP-1 (previously referred to as MAP-1). However, the dynamics of death receptor recruitment of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 are still not understood. We have now detailed recruitment to death receptors (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 [TNF-R1] and TRAIL-R1/DR4) and identified domains of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 that are required for death receptor interaction. Upon TNF-␣ stimulation, the C-terminal region of MOAP-1 associated with the death domain of TNF-R1; subsequently, RASSF1A was recruited to MOAP-1/TNF-R1 complexes. Prior to recruitment to TNF-R1/MOAP-1 complexes, RASSF1A homodimerization was lost. RASSF1A associated with the TNF-R1/MOAP-1 or TRAIL-R1/MOAP-1 complex via its N-terminal cysteine-rich (C1) domain containing a potential zinc finger binding motif. Importantly, TNF-R1 association domains on both MOAP-1 and RASSF1A were essential for death receptor-dependent apoptosis. The association of RASSF1A and MOAP-1 with death receptors involves an ordered recruitment to receptor complexes to promote cell death and inhibit tumor formation.

Death receptor-dependent apoptosis is an important mechanism of growth control. It has been demonstrated that Ras association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A) is a tumor suppressor protein involved in death receptor-dependent apoptosis. However, it is unclear how RASSF1A-mediated cell death is initiated. We have now detailed 14-3-3 dependent regulation of RASSF1A-mediated cell death. We demonstrate that basal association of RASSF1A with 14-3-3 was lost following stimulation with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) or TNFalpha related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). Subsequent to the loss of 14-3-3 association, RASSF1A associated with modulator of apoptosis (MOAP-1) followed by death receptor association with either TNFalpha receptor 1 (TNF-R1) or TRAIL receptor 1 (TRAIL-R1). 14-3-3 association required basal phosphorylation by the serine/threonine kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), on serine 175, 178, and 179. Mutation of these critical serines resulted in the loss of 14-3-3 association and earlier recruitment of RASSF1A to MOAP-1, TNF-R1, and TRAIL-R1. Furthermore, stable cells containing a triple serine mutant of RASSF1A [serine (S) 175 to alanine (A) [S175A], S178A, and S179A] resulted in increased basal cell death, enhanced Annexin V staining and enhanced cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) following TNFalpha stimulation when compared to stable cells containing wild type RASSF1A. RASSF1A-mediated cell death is, therefore, tightly controlled by 14-3-3 association.