Primary cells suppress oncogene-dependent apoptosis

Oncogenes that promote cell-cycle progression also sensitize cells to agents that induce apoptosis. Sensitization is thought to be caused by the induction of proapoptotic factors. Alternatively, sensitization may require the inactivation inhibitors that ordinarily provide protection against cell death. Here we show that the adenoviral oncogene EIA sensitizes cells to an anti-cancer drug by at least two pathways. One establishes a link between the drug and pro-apoptotic factors, but is not sufficient for sensitization without the second pathway, which suppresses inhibitors of apoptosis.