Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation
06:12

LPS and ATP-induced Death of PMA-differentiated THP-1 Macrophages and its Validation

Published on: May 3, 2024

Apoptosis and necrosis: intracellular ATP level as a determinant for cell death modes

Y Tsujimoto1

  • 1Osaka University Medical School, Biomedical Research Center, Suita, Osaka 565, Japan. tsujimot@gene.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Cell Death and Differentiation
|August 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Cell death occurs via apoptosis or necrosis, sharing common pathways regulated by Bcl-2 and caspase inhibitors. Intracellular ATP levels critically influence whether cells undergo apoptosis or necrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis and necrosis are distinct programmed cell death pathways.
  • Both pathways exhibit unique morphological characteristics.
  • Evidence suggests shared molecular mechanisms between apoptosis and necrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the commonalities between apoptosis and necrosis.
  • To explore the role of intracellular ATP in determining cell death pathways.
  • To understand the regulatory mechanisms of cell death decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vitro and in vivo models.
  • Investigated the effects of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.
  • Examined the impact of caspase inhibitors on cell death.
  • Assessed intracellular ATP levels as a key determinant.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis and certain forms of necrosis share common regulatory steps.
  • Both cell death pathways can be inhibited by Bcl-2 protein and caspase inhibitors.
  • Intracellular ATP levels were identified as a critical factor in dictating the mode of cell death.

Conclusions:

  • Cell death decisions are influenced by intracellular ATP concentration.
  • Shared molecular pathways exist between apoptosis and necrosis.
  • Targeting common pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for controlling cell death.

More Related Videos

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Live-cell Imaging of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization During Necroptosis05:30

Live-cell Imaging of Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization During Necroptosis

Published on: November 14, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis01:16

Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis

Necrosis is a form of irreversible cell death caused by severe injury such as ischemia, toxins, or trauma. Unlike programmed cell death, it is an uncontrolled, pathological process that typically provokes inflammation in surrounding tissues.Pathophysiologic ChangesNecrosis begins when cells sustain critical damage, leading to swelling of organelles, particularly mitochondria, and rapid ATP depletion. As energy levels decline, membrane ion pumps fail, leading to calcium influx and eventually,...
Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death01:11

Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death

Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
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.