2.2.2 (e) Rv2615c protein trigger the activation of Caspase9 in THP-1 macrophages
Initiator Caspase 9 activation is necessary for the development of the apoptosome complex and the subsequent activation of executioner Caspases 3 and 7, which results in apoptotic cell death. To check the engagement of initiator Caspase9 with respect to apoptosis induction by selected recombinant protein, western blot assessment of the total cell lysate from THP-1 macrophages post-stimulation with Rv2615c protein was done to determine if initiator Caspase9 was activated for the induction of apoptosis in response to Rv2615c. Levels of activated Caspase9 was quantified using ImageJ and revealed to be increased in response to Rv2615c stimulation relative to unstimulated cells and LPS stimulation (Fig 2a and 2b).