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Role of proteases in activation of apoptosis

S A Sukharev1, O V Pleshakova, V B Sadovnikov

  • 1Branch of Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142292 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia.

Cell Death and Differentiation
|August 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) involves proteases in cell suicide. These enzymes are crucial for both lymphocyte-mediated killing and death receptor-induced apoptosis, preventing autoimmune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a fundamental physiological process.
  • Proteases are increasingly recognized for their roles in various cell death pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of proteases in the induction and execution phases of apoptosis.
  • To explore the proposed function of protease-mediated protein destruction in preventing autoimmunity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on proteases in apoptosis.
  • Analysis of protease involvement in cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated cell death.
  • Examination of proteases in TNF- and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • Proteases are essential in both early (induction) and late (execution) stages of apoptosis.
  • A cascade of intracellular proteases likely mediates massive protein destruction during late-stage apoptosis.
  • This protein destruction may serve to prevent autoimmune reactions to cellular components.

Conclusions:

  • Proteases are critical effectors in multiple apoptosis pathways.
  • The enzymatic degradation of cellular proteins during apoptosis has implications for immune tolerance.

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