Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 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

Intracellular death platform steps-in: targeting prostate tumors via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) apoptosis

Steven R Schwarze1, Eric W Lin, Perry A Christian

  • 1Department of Molecular/Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.

The Prostate
|July 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Targeting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis offers a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate tumors. This approach complements existing treatments by exploring ER stress pathways and their interaction with cell death signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Molecular targeting of apoptosis is crucial for treating advanced prostate tumors.
  • Current therapies primarily target intrinsic/mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways present an alternative route for inducing apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic potential of ER stress-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer.
  • To explore the interplay between ER stress, BCL-2 family proteins, and calcium homeostasis.
  • To identify novel therapeutic targets for both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on ER stress-induced apoptosis.
  • Analysis of signaling cross-talk between ER stress, intrinsic, and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.
  • Examination of the role of BCL-2 family members and ER calcium regulation.

Main Results:

  • ER stress-induced apoptosis is an emerging therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
  • The BCL-2 family and ER calcium homeostasis are critical regulators of cell fate.
  • Understanding these pathways can reveal novel therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting ER stress-induced apoptosis offers a promising alternative for prostate tumor treatment.
  • Further research into ER stress signaling pathways may yield new therapeutic agents.
  • This approach holds potential for both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancers.

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

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
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...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
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.
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...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...