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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
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Apoptosome dysfunction in human cancer

K M Hajra1, J R Liu

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, L4000 Women's Hospital, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Apoptosis : an International Journal on Programmed Cell Death
|October 27, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, a programmed cell death, involves two pathways. Disruption of the apoptosome, key in the intrinsic pathway, contributes to cancer development and treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is a crucial cellular process for organismal homeostasis and defense.
  • Two primary pathways initiate apoptosis: the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.
  • The intrinsic pathway involves mitochondrial damage, cytochrome c release, and apoptosome formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the formation and function of the apoptosome.
  • To discuss the role of apoptosome disruption in cancer pathogenesis.
  • To explore how apoptosome dysfunction contributes to treatment resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of apoptosis research.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms of apoptosome assembly.
  • Examination of genetic and functional alterations in cancer.

Main Results:

  • The apoptosome is a protein complex essential for intrinsic apoptosis, comprising Apaf-1, cytochrome c, and caspase-9.
  • Factors modulating apoptosome formation and function have been identified.
  • Dysregulation of these factors is implicated in tumor development and chemoresistance.

Conclusions:

  • Disruption of apoptosome formation and function is linked to tumor initiation and progression.
  • Understanding apoptosome modulation may offer therapeutic strategies for cancer.
  • Targeting the apoptosome pathway could overcome resistance to chemotherapy and radiation.

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