Contents
What is apoptosis and what is its purpose?
Cell biologist Michael Overholtzer explains apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death that can lead to cancer when it doesn’t function properly. It also plays an important role in cancer.” One purpose of apoptosis is to eliminate cells that contain potentially dangerous mutations.
How does apoptosis occur?
Apoptosis is mediated by proteolytic enzymes called caspases, which trigger cell death by cleaving specific proteins in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Caspases exist in all cells as inactive precursors, or procaspases, which are usually activated by cleavage by other caspases, producing a proteolytic caspase cascade.
Why is apoptosis important in the cell cycle?
Apoptosis is a genetically controlled response by which eukaryotic cells undergo programmed cell death. This phenomenon plays a major role in developmental pathways (1), provides a homeostatic balance of cell populations, and is deregulated in many diseases including cancer.
Why is apoptosis an important form of cell death?
The discovery of genes that inhibit apoptosis, however, was evidence that another form of cell death existed. Through further research, it was concluded that in addition to being a regulatable form of cell death, apoptosis plays an important role in controlling cell population.
Why is apoptosis an important part of homoeostasis?
This normal homoeostasis is not just a passive process but regulated through apoptosis. The same mechanisms serve to “mop up” damaged cells. With ageing, apoptotic responses to DNA damage may be less tightly controlled and exaggerated, contributing to degenerative disease.
Where does the research on apoptosis take place?
Affiliation 1Cancer Research Campaign Department of Epithelial Biology, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester, UK. [email protected] PMID: 11420279
Which is the most important gene in apoptosis?
The tumour suppressor gene p53 is also a well characterised apoptotic agent. The principal effectors are a family of proteases termed caspases. Studies in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegens, the fruitfly Drosophila, and the mouse indicate that the molecular machinery of apoptosis is evolutionarily conserved and intrinsic to all metazoan cells.