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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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.
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...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response01:31

Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response

Inositol-requiring kinase one or IRE1 is the most conserved eukaryotic unfolded protein response (UPR) receptor. It is a type I transmembrane protein kinase receptor with a distinctive site-specific RNase activity. As the binding mechanics of the misfolded proteins with the N-terminal domain of IRE-1 are unclear, three binding models — direct, indirect, and allosteric -- are proposed for receptor activation. Nevertheless, it is known that once a misfolded protein associates with IRE1, it...
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Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.

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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Apoptosis-inducing factor: structure, function, and redox regulation.

Irina F Sevrioukova1

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California-Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA. sevrioui@uci.edu

Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
|September 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a mitochondrial protein crucial for both cell death and survival. Its redox activity impacts energy metabolism and links metabolic pathways to apoptosis.

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity
12:17

Detection and Isolation of Apoptotic Bodies to High Purity

Published on: August 12, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is a mitochondrial protein with unknown enzymatic activity.
  • AIF translocates to the nucleus during apoptosis, inducing caspase-independent cell death.
  • AIF also plays a critical role in cell survival and mitochondrial function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of AIF.
  • To discuss its role in apoptosis and cell survival.
  • To explore its emerging role as a redox sensor.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of in vivo phenotypes associated with AIF deficiency.
  • Identification of mitochondrial, cytoplasmic, and nuclear AIF partners.
  • Review of accumulated data on AIF structure and function.

Main Results:

  • AIF's redox activity is essential for oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial morphology.
  • AIF may regulate the respiratory chain by stabilizing complexes I and III.
  • AIF links NAD(H)-dependent metabolic pathways to apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • AIF is a multifunctional protein involved in both cell death and survival.
  • Its redox properties are critical for cellular energy metabolism.
  • AIF acts as a redox sensor, connecting metabolism to apoptotic signaling.