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Related Concept Videos

Caspases01:24

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.
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...
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.
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...
Overview of Cell Death01:30

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...

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Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry
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Regulating the reapers: activating metacaspases for programmed cell death.

Eric Lam1, Yi Zhang

  • 1Department of Plant Biology & Pathology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. Lam@aesop.rutgers.edu

Trends in Plant Science
|June 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Specialized cysteine proteases, like caspases and metacaspases (MCs), are key regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) across eukaryotes. Research is uncovering how MCs control cellular suicide in plants and other organisms.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cysteine proteases are conserved regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) in eukaryotes.
  • Caspases are well-established PCD regulators in metazoans.
  • Metacaspases (MCs) are emerging as key regulators of cellular suicide in plants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of metacaspase (MC) function in programmed cell death (PCD).
  • To highlight the emerging mechanisms of post-translational regulation of MCs.
  • To emphasize the need for further research into MCs' downstream targets and regulatory pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on metacaspases.
  • Analysis of genetic, biochemical, and molecular data on MCs.
  • Comparative study of MCs across different model systems.

Main Results:

  • Metacaspases (MCs) are increasingly recognized as crucial for PCD in plants.
  • Multiple post-translational regulatory mechanisms for MCs are being identified.
  • Understanding MC regulation is key to deciphering cell death control.

Conclusions:

  • Metacaspases (MCs) play significant roles in programmed cell death (PCD) in plants, protozoans, and fungi.
  • Further research on MC regulatory pathways and targets will advance understanding of cellular suicide.
  • Elucidating MC function is critical for comprehending eukaryotic cell death control.