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Q&A: Cellular near death experiences-what is anastasis?
Gongping Sun1, Denise J Montell2
1Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
BMC Biology
|October 26, 2017
Summary
Cells can survive programmed cell death, even after caspase activation, through a process called anastasis. This phenomenon challenges the notion of a point of no return in apoptosis and opens new research avenues.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Apoptosis is programmed cell death mediated by caspases.
- Executioner caspase activation traditionally signifies irreversible cell death.
- Recent findings reveal cell survival post-caspase activation, termed anastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define anastasis, the process of cell survival after apoptotic stimuli.
- To explore the origins of the term anastasis.
- To discuss the physiological and molecular aspects of anastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of recent research on anastasis.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying cell survival post-caspase activation.
- Discussion of open questions in the field of anastasis.
Main Results:
- Anastasis represents a survival mechanism following transient apoptotic insults.
- The term anastasis is derived from Greek, meaning 'resurrection' or 'rising up'.
- Mechanisms and physiological consequences of anastasis are under active investigation.
Conclusions:
- Anastasis demonstrates cellular resilience beyond previously understood limits of apoptosis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular pathways and physiological relevance of anastasis.
- This phenomenon redefines our understanding of cell death and survival.
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