Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

12:55
Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
Understanding apoptosis by systems biology approaches
Inna N Lavrik1, Roland Eils, Nicolai Fricker
1Division of Immunogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Molecular Biosystems
|September 17, 2009
Summary
Apoptosis, a programmed cell death process, is crucial for multicellular life. Systems biology approaches are advancing our understanding of apoptotic pathways and informing new disease treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Systems Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis is a fundamental cellular process for eliminating cells in multicellular organisms.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in severe diseases including cancer, autoimmunity, AIDS, and neurodegeneration.
- Understanding apoptotic signaling is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current systems biology studies on apoptotic signaling.
- To elucidate how systems biology aids in understanding cellular life/death decisions.
- To explore the development of rational treatment strategies based on systems biology insights.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing systems biology approaches that integrate mathematical modeling with experimental data.
- Analyzing complex apoptotic signaling pathways.
- Reviewing contemporary research on apoptosis and systems biology.
Main Results:
- Systems biology offers a powerful framework for dissecting the complexity of apoptotic pathways.
- This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing cell death decisions.
- Insights gained can guide the development of targeted therapies for apoptosis-related diseases.
Conclusions:
- Systems biology is instrumental in advancing the knowledge of apoptosis.
- It provides a pathway to understanding cellular fate and developing novel therapeutic interventions.
- The integration of modeling and experimentation is key to unraveling complex biological processes like apoptosis.
Related Concept Videos
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.
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
Caspases
Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.

