Peptides and peptide mimics as modulators of apoptotic pathways
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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
Mar Orzáez1, Anna Gortat, Laura Mondragón
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
Programmed cell death is an important and stringently controlled process. Aberrancies in its control mechanisms can lead to disease; overactive apoptosis can cause neurodegenerative disorders, whereas deficient apoptotic activity can lead to cancer. Therefore, controlling apoptotic pathways with peptides is showing increasing promise as a strategy in drug development.Programmed cell death or apoptosis is a noninvasive and strictly regulated cellular process required for organism development and tissue homeostasis. Deficiencies in apoptotic pathways are the source of many diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, and disorders related to an inappropriate loss of cells such as heart failure, stroke, and liver injury. Validation of the various points of intervention as targets for drug development has been the subject of a vast number of studies. Peptides are essential tools for drug discovery, as well as preclinical and pharmaceutical drug development.
Insights
Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is crucial for health. Modulating apoptosis with peptides offers a promising therapeutic strategy for diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a fundamental biological process essential for development and tissue homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, and conditions involving excessive cell loss.
- Identifying therapeutic targets within apoptotic pathways is a significant focus in biomedical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of apoptosis in health and disease.
- To explore the potential of targeting apoptotic pathways for therapeutic intervention.
- To emphasize the utility of peptides in drug development for modulating apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on programmed cell death and its regulation.
- Analysis of disease mechanisms linked to apoptotic pathway dysfunction.
- Evaluation of peptides as therapeutic agents for controlling apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Aberrant apoptosis underlies various pathologies, from cancer to neurodegeneration.
- Targeting apoptotic pathways presents a viable strategy for disease treatment.
- Peptides are effective tools for modulating apoptosis in drug discovery and development.
Conclusions:
- Controlling programmed cell death is vital for preventing and treating a spectrum of diseases.
- Peptide-based therapeutics hold significant promise for future drug development in apoptosis-related disorders.
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