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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
[Caspases and apoptosis: die and let live]
Grzegorz Nalepa1, Ewa Zukowska-Szczechowska
1Katedry i Kliniki Chorób Wewnetrznych, Diabetologii i Nefrologii w Zabrzu.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|June 5, 2002
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial in health and disease, especially cancer. Caspase activation is central to this process, offering potential for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Apoptosis (genetically programmed cell death) is vital in human physiology and disease pathogenesis, notably cancer.
- Caspase activation, a hallmark of apoptosis, can be triggered by multiple molecular pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the central role of caspases in apoptosis.
- To explore the implications of caspase activity in cancer pathogenesis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular pathways initiating caspase activation (Fas/TNF receptors, cytochrome c release, granzymes).
- Analysis of cellular proteins targeted by activated caspases (cell cycle, DNA repair, structural proteins).
Main Results:
- Caspase activation leads to the digestion of key cellular proteins, resulting in apoptosis.
- Identified proteins targeted include those regulating cell cycle, DNA repair, and cellular structure.
Conclusions:
- Understanding caspase mechanisms is key to deciphering cancer pathogenesis.
- Further research may lead to improved conventional tumor treatments and gene therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:24Caspases
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...