Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
11:21
Flow Cytometric Detection of Newly-formed Breast Cancer Stem Cell-like Cells After Apoptosis Reversal
Published on: January 26, 2019
10.4K
Triaptosis and Cancer: Next Hope?
Zi-Zhan Li1, Kan Zhou1, Jinmei Wu2
1State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|September 11, 2025
Summary
Menadione, a vitamin K precursor, induces triaptosis, a novel cell death pathway. This discovery shows promise for treating prostate cancer by targeting oxidative stress and endosomal dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Death Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cancer remains a major global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Regulated cell death pathways offer potential targets for cancer treatment.
- Menadione's role in cell death was previously unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery of triaptosis as a novel cell death pathway.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of triaptosis, focusing on PIK3C3/VPS34.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of triaptosis induction in cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current research on triaptosis.
- Analysis of menadione's role as an inducer of triaptosis.
- Examination of endosomal biology and redox homeostasis in cancer.
Main Results:
- Menadione induces triaptosis, a cell death pathway mediated by PIK3C3/VPS34 oxidative modulation.
- Triaptosis is linked to endosomal dysfunction and oxidative stress.
- Preclinical models show menadione-induced triaptosis is effective against prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Triaptosis represents a novel, mechanistically distinct cell death paradigm with therapeutic potential in oncology.
- Targeting triaptosis offers a promising strategy for overcoming conventional treatment limitations.
- Further research into triaptosis could lead to new precision medicine approaches for cancer therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Apoptosis
14.1K
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...
14.1K
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
8.3K
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...
8.3K
01:17The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
8.1K
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...
8.1K
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
4.9K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
4.9K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
4.4K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
4.4K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
9.4K
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...
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...
9.4K