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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: October 11, 2012
Programmed cell death and the control of cell survival
M C Raff1, B A Barres, J F Burne
1MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, U.K.
Summary
Programmed cell death (PCD) is underestimated in mammalian development. Most cells possess the machinery for PCD, which is triggered by a lack of external survival signals.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Apoptosis Research
Background:
- Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental biological process.
- The precise role and regulation of PCD in mammalian development require further elucidation.
- Constitutive expression of PCD machinery in cells suggests a default death pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of normal cell death during mammalian development.
- To understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying PCD.
- To explore the role of extracellular signals in suppressing the cell death program.
Main Methods:
- Studies on programmed cell death (PCD) in mammalian systems.
- Analysis of cellular components involved in PCD.
- Investigation of signaling pathways that regulate cell survival and death.
Main Results:
- Normal cell death in mammalian development is likely underestimated.
- Most mammalian cells constitutively express proteins necessary for PCD.
- PCD is activated by default when cells lack external survival signals.
- Failure to receive survival signals contributes to normal cell deaths.
- PCD and Bcl-2 protection are independent of the nucleus and mitochondrial respiration.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian development involves a significant, underestimated level of programmed cell death.
- The cell death program is a default pathway, suppressed by external survival signals.
- A cytosolic regulator may orchestrate PCD, acting on multiple organelles, independent of nuclear or mitochondrial function.
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