Apoptotic cell death regulation in neurons
Emilie Hollville1, Selena E Romero1,2, Mohanish Deshmukh1,2
1Neuroscience Center, UNC Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
The FEBS Journal
|June 24, 2019
Summary
Mature neurons resist apoptosis, a programmed cell death, through unique survival mechanisms. This review explores how these pathways protect the nervous system and when neurons can still undergo apoptosis in disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis is crucial for nervous system development, eliminating excess neuronal precursors.
- Mature neurons exhibit a high resistance to apoptosis, ensuring nervous system integrity.
- This resistance is mediated by specialized molecular mechanisms controlling the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the key mechanisms ensuring post-mitotic neuronal survival.
- To detail the physiological and pathological conditions under which neurons can undergo apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on neuronal apoptosis and survival.
- Analysis of molecular pathways regulating the intrinsic apoptotic cascade in neurons.
- Examination of evidence for neuronal apoptosis in both health and disease.
Main Results:
- Post-mitotic neurons employ unique strategies to suppress the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
- Neuronal survival mechanisms are robust but can be overridden in pathological states.
- Specific physiological and pathological contexts can re-sensitize neurons to apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The mature nervous system relies on tightly regulated apoptotic resistance for long-term function.
- Understanding these survival mechanisms is key to addressing neurological disorders involving neuronal loss.
- Neurons retain the capacity for apoptosis, highlighting a critical balance between survival and cell death in the nervous system.
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