Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
12:55
Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
Published on: February 16, 2015
[IEX-1: an unique protein in regulating apoptosis]
1Institute of Osteocarcinoma, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011,China.
Summary
Immediate early response gene X-1 (IEX-1) is crucial for regulating apoptosis and cell growth. This review explores its complex roles in various disease models, highlighting its involvement in viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Context:
- The Immediate early response gene X-1 (IEX-1) is a key regulator of apoptosis and cell growth.
- IEX-1 expression is observed across diverse human tissues.
- Its dual role in promoting or inhibiting apoptosis is well-documented.
Purpose:
- To review the current understanding of IEX-1.
- To explore the regulatory mechanisms of IEX-1 in normal and pathological conditions.
- To summarize IEX-1's role in various disease models.
Summary:
- IEX-1 influences cell growth and apoptosis through complex regulatory pathways.
- Evidence links IEX-1 to viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, and high expression in tumors.
- The precise mechanisms governing IEX-1 function remain largely unelucidated.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of IEX-1's multifaceted roles.
- Identifies gaps in knowledge regarding IEX-1 regulation.
- Highlights IEX-1 as a potential target for therapeutic interventions in diseases like cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:17The 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...
01:31The 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...
01:24Caspases
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.
01:30Apoptosis
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.
01:31Regulation 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...
01:22Cellular 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...