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Apoptosis and genomic instability

Boris Zhivotovsky1, Guido Kroemer

  • 1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, Nobels väg 13, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. boris.zhivotovsky@imm.ki.se

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|September 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Genomic instability and apoptosis are closely connected, impacting cancer development. Altered apoptosis pathways contribute to genomic instability, while DNA repair proteins influence apoptosis, highlighting their critical roles in cancer pathophysiology.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer.
  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a crucial mechanism for eliminating damaged cells.
  • Dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to cancer development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the intricate relationship between genomic instability and apoptosis.
  • To understand how alterations in apoptosis control contribute to cancer pathophysiology.
  • To explore the role of DNA repair proteins in regulating apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on genomic instability and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking DNA damage response and apoptotic pathways.
  • Examination of cancer genomics data for correlations between instability and apoptosis markers.

Main Results:

  • Genomic instability, including chromosomal and microsatellite instability, can lead to the inactivation of pro-apoptotic pathways.
  • Inhibition of apoptosis allows survival of cells with unrepaired DNA damage, telomere dysfunction, or polyploidy.
  • DNA repair proteins have been identified as regulators of apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic instability and apoptosis are intimately linked phenomena.
  • The interplay between genomic instability and apoptosis has significant implications for cancer development.
  • Targeting these pathways holds potential for cancer therapy.

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