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Big wheel keeps on turning: apoptosome regulation and its role in chemoresistance

B Fadeel1, A Ottosson, S Pervaiz

  • 1Cell Death Research Group, Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. bengt.fadeel@ki.se

Cell Death and Differentiation
|November 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, maintains tissue balance by removing cells. Targeting the apoptosome, a key complex in this process, offers a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Apoptosis is programmed cell death crucial for tissue homeostasis and eliminating harmful cells.
  • The intrinsic apoptosis pathway involves mitochondrial release of factors like cytochrome c.
  • The apoptosome, a complex of Apaf-1 and procaspase-9, is central to this pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulation of apoptosome formation and activation in physiological and disease states.
  • To explore the role of apoptosome deregulation in human cancers.
  • To discuss the potential of targeting the apoptosome for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on apoptosis and the apoptosome.
  • Analysis of the molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosome function.
  • Discussion of clinical implications and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Identification of factors controlling apoptosome assembly and activation.
  • Evidence linking aberrant apoptosome function to cancer development and chemoresistance.
  • Potential for therapeutic intervention at post-mitochondrial stages of apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • The apoptosome plays a critical role in intrinsic apoptosis.
  • Dysregulation of the apoptosome is implicated in cancer.
  • Targeting the apoptosome represents a rational approach for novel cancer treatments.

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