Molecular circuits of apoptosis regulation and cell division control: the survivin paradigm

Dario C Altieri1

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology and the Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA. dario.altieri@umassmed.edu

Insights

The balance between cell division and cell death is vital for health. Survivin protein plays a key role in this process and is a target for new cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Cell proliferation and cell death are critical for maintaining homeostasis.
  • Dysregulation of this balance can lead to disease, particularly cancer.
  • Survivin is a key molecule involved in both cell division and preventing cell death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of Survivin at the crossroads of cell proliferation and death.
  • To highlight Survivin's significance in cancer development and prognosis.
  • To explore Survivin's potential as a target for novel cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Survivin's function.
  • Analysis of Survivin's role in cell division mechanisms.
  • Investigation of Survivin's involvement in apoptotic pathways.

Main Results:

  • Survivin protects against mitochondrial cell death.
  • Survivin regulates multiple aspects of cell division.
  • Survivin is frequently overexpressed in cancers, correlating with poor outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • The Survivin pathway is a critical regulator of cell fate.
  • Survivin's dual role makes it a promising target for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting Survivin offers a rational approach for developing new anti-cancer treatments.

Related Concept Videos

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The 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...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The 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...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

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.
Caspases01:24

Caspases

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.
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular 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...