Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) previously established guidelines for cell death interpretation.
• The field of cell death research is rapidly evolving with new discoveries.
• Novel mechanisms orchestrating multiple cell death pathways are continuously being unveiled.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines.
• To focus on mechanistic and essential aspects of cell death processes.
• To provide molecularly oriented definitions for various cell death types.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of current knowledge on cell death mechanisms.
• Development of molecularly oriented definitions for established and emerging cell death subroutines.
• Discussion on the utility of neologisms in specialized cell death contexts.

Main Results:

• An updated classification of cell death subroutines is proposed.
• Molecular definitions are provided for intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe.
• The utility of neologisms for specialized cell death instances is discussed.

Conclusions:

• The updated NCCD classification provides a mechanistic framework for understanding cell death.
• Molecular definitions aim to standardize terminology and facilitate research.
• The NCCD's mission is to foster a universally accepted nomenclature for cell death research.