Apoptosis pathway
Apoptosis, also referred to as programmed cell death, is a regulated form of cell death that involves distinct biochemical and morphological changes1. Apoptosis can be triggered by both internal and external factors. Internal factors include misfolded proteins and deregulated signaling, while nutrient loss, radiation, heat, and activation of cell surface receptors, such as TNF and FAS3, are external triggers.
Canonically, apoptosis is initiated by the interaction of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 family, including BAD and BCL-21. This leads to the activation of caspase proteins3, a family of proteolytic enzymes, which activate other proteins that dismantle the cytoskeleton, organelles, and degrade DNA. This controlled process allows adjacent tissue to suffer minimal damage2.
What to expect in our apoptosis poster:
- Easily view how the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways interact
- Discover which proteins are inhibitors or activators of cell death
- Find products that will help your research
References
1. Elmore S. Apoptosis: a review of programmed cell death. Toxicol Pathol. 35(4):495-516. (2007)
2. D'Arcy MS. Cell death: a review of the major forms of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Cell Biol Int. 43(6):582-592 (2019)
3. Cavalcante GC, Schaan AP, Cabral GF, Santana-da-Silva MN, Pinto P, Vidal AF, Ribeiro-Dos-Santos Â. A Cell's Fate: An Overview of the Molecular Biology and Genetics of Apoptosis. Int J Mol Sci. 20(17):4133. (2019)
