Critical role for DP5/Harakiri, a Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only Bcl-2 family member, in axotomy-induced neuronal cell death

The survival of neurons is maintained primarily by neurotrophic factors that suppress the apoptotic program. Axotomy or removal of peripheral targets causes neuronal cell death, but the mechanisms involved in the induction of this type of cell death remain poorly understood. Here, we show that DP5/Harakiri, a Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, is induced in motoneurons after transection of the hypoglossal nerve in mice and in sympathetic neurons after nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. To assess the role of DP5 in neuronal cell death, mutant mice deficient in DP5 were generated by gene targeting. DP5(-/-) mice were viable and exhibited normal postnatal development. Notably, motoneurons from DP5(-/-) mice were highly protected from cell death induced by resection of the hypoglossal nerve compared with motoneurons from DP5(+/+) littermate mice. In addition, deficiency of DP5 in superior cervical ganglia (SCG) neurons resulted in delayed neuronal cell death triggered by NGF withdrawal. Analysis of SCG neurons from DP5(-/-) mice revealed increased preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced activation of caspase-3 compared with neurons from wild-type mice. These results indicate that DP5 plays an important role in neuronal cell death induced by axotomy and NGF deprivation through the regulation of mitochondrial function and caspase-3 activation.