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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
05:56
Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches
Published on: October 13, 2022
[Molecular aspects of apoptosis]
Nikola Radović1, Snjezana Cucić, Silvio Altarac
1Odjel za urologiju, Kliniclca bolnica Dubrava, Pliva, Zagreb. nikola.radovic@zg.htnet.hr
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a vital, regulated process. This review explores the molecular pathways controlling caspase activation, crucial for executing apoptosis via cell surface receptors and mitochondria.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Context:
- Apoptosis is essential for maintaining homeostasis and is tightly regulated by extracellular and intracellular factors.
- The cellular microenvironment, including surrounding cells and signaling molecules, influences cell survival and death.
- Recent advances have identified key molecular components driving the intracellular apoptosis program.
Purpose:
- To review the biochemical pathways governing caspase activation in apoptosis.
- To highlight the roles of cell surface death receptors and mitochondria in initiating apoptosis.
- To provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of programmed cell death.
Summary:
- Apoptosis involves a cascade of biochemical events leading to characteristic morphological changes, executed by caspases.
- Caspase activation, a central event in apoptosis, is tightly controlled through sequential proteolysis of inactive procaspases.
- This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of caspase activation initiated by death receptors and mitochondrial pathways.
Impact:
- Understanding apoptosis regulation is crucial for developing therapies for diseases involving dysregulated cell death.
- Elucidating caspase activation pathways offers targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer and autoimmune disorders.
- This review contributes to the forefront of biomedicine research on programmed cell death mechanisms.
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