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Mechanisms of cell death.
D J Fawthrop1, A R Boobis, D S Davies
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Archives of Toxicology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
This study explores cell death mechanisms, focusing on apoptosis and necrosis. It highlights calcium
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Two primary cell death patterns exist: necrosis and apoptosis (programmed cell death).
- Apoptosis involves nuclear endonuclease activation, leading to DNA fragmentation.
- Calcium homeostasis disruption is implicated in both cell death types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of calcium in apoptosis and necrosis.
- To clarify the mechanisms underlying chemically induced cell death.
- To examine the relationship between apoptosis and necrosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cell death pathways.
- Analysis of factors inducing apoptosis, such as glucocorticoids, TCDD, and tributyltin.
- Examination of cellular events in necrosis, including cytoskeletal disruption and enzyme activation.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis can be induced by factors mediating calcium influx or channel opening.
- Calcium perturbation is increasingly recognized in necrosis, though propagation mechanisms remain unclear.
- The distinct separation between apoptosis and necrosis is being questioned.
Conclusions:
- Calcium homeostasis plays a critical role in both apoptosis and necrosis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of chemically induced cell death.
- The interplay between apoptotic and necrotic pathways requires further investigation.