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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Measuring Composition of CD95 Death-Inducing Signaling Complex and Processing of Procaspase-8 in this Complex
Published on: August 2, 2021
Cell death controlling complexes and their potential therapeutic role
Alexey V Zamaraev1, Gelina S Kopeina1, Boris Zhivotovsky2,3
1Faculty of Basic Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
Abstract:
Programmed cell death plays a central role in the regulation of homeostasis and development of multicellular organisms. Deregulation of programmed cell death is connected to a number of disorders, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Initiation of cell death occurs in the multiprotein complexes or high molecular weight platforms. Composition, structure, and molecular interactions within these platforms influence the cellular decision toward life or death and, therefore, define the induction of a particular cell death program. Here, we discuss in detail the key cell-death complexes-including DISC, complex II, and TNFRI complex I/II, and the necrosome, RIPoptosome, apoptosome, and PIDDosome-that control apoptosis or necroptosis pathways as well as their regulation. The possibility of their pharmacological targeting leading to the development of new strategies of interference with cell death programs via control of the high molecular weight platforms will be discussed.
Insights
Programmed cell death regulation involves multiprotein complexes. Targeting these platforms offers new therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular mechanisms of cell death
Background:
- Programmed cell death is crucial for multicellular organism homeostasis and development.
- Aberrant cell death contributes to diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.
- Cell death initiation involves multiprotein complexes that dictate cellular fate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail key cell-death complexes controlling apoptosis and necroptosis.
- To discuss the regulation of these molecular platforms.
- To explore the potential for pharmacological targeting of these complexes.
Main Methods:
- Review and detailed discussion of known cell-death complexes.
- Analysis of molecular interactions within these platforms.
- Exploration of regulatory mechanisms governing cell death pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified and described key complexes: DISC, complex II, TNFRI complex I/II, necrosome, RIPoptosome, apoptosome, and PIDDosome.
- Highlighted the influence of complex composition and structure on cell death induction.
- Underscored the role of these platforms in apoptosis and necroptosis pathways.
Conclusions:
- Cell-death complexes are critical regulators of apoptosis and necroptosis.
- Understanding these platforms is key to understanding cell death.
- Pharmacological targeting of these high molecular weight platforms presents novel therapeutic avenues.
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