Dynamic regulation of cell death signaling
Asma Majoul1, Ana J Garcia-Saez1
1Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute of Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Germany.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, share common triggers and decision points. Understanding these interconnected networks refines our knowledge of cell death regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell death is a fundamental biological process with diverse mechanisms.
- Distinct cell death pathways like apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis exist.
- Interconnected signaling networks regulate cell death initiation, progression, and execution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline core concepts of cell death pathways.
- To highlight decision points and commonalities across different cell death systems.
- To discuss recent developments in understanding cell death regulation.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual review of existing literature on cell death pathways.
- Analysis of signaling networks involved in apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.
- Discussion of unresolved questions in cell death dynamics.
Main Results:
- Cell death exhibits inherent variability due to common triggers activating interconnected signaling networks.
- Shared features allow categorization of cell death based on activated pathways and outcomes.
- Key decision points, pore formation dynamics, and points of no return remain areas for further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the dynamic interplay between cell death pathways is crucial.
- Recent developments refine the understanding of cell death regulation.
- Further research is needed to resolve complex decision points in cell death processes.
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