Radiation-induced apoptosis of tumor cells is facilitated by inhibition of the interaction between Survivin and Smac/DIABLO.

To investigate the mechanism of radioresistance of solid tumor cells, we created two expression vectors encoding Survivin mutants, T34A and D53A. When T34A and D53A were overexpressed in NIH3T3, A549 and HeLa cells, radiation-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, we examined the binding capability of Survivin with Smac/DIABLO in the cells that overexpressed these mutants. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis revealed that mutant form of Survivin, D53A and T34A could bind to Smac/DIABLO, but with much less affinity compared to the authentic form. These results suggest that radiation-induced apoptosis of tumor cells is increased by inhibition of the interaction between Survivin and Smac/DIABLO through overexpression of T34A and D53A.