NF-kappaB as a determinant of distinct cell death pathways

The NF-kappaB signaling system has important and distinct roles in determining cell fate decisions, such as cell proliferation and cell death. Specifically, recent evidence indicates that NF-B regulates several types of programmed cell death, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, necrosis, as well as cellular senescence, but its precise role in these is not fully understood. Distinguishing these cell fates experimentally is therefore important, and several techniques are available to researchers. We summarize experimental strategies and protocols that reveal changes in nuclear morphology and cell shrinkage, exposure of phosphatidylserine, compromised membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential. Together, these may discriminate distinct cell death pathways and lead to a better understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms.