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Apoptosis: programmed cell death in health and disease

J Bright1, A Khar

  • 1Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.

Bioscience Reports
|April 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, a programmed cell death, eliminates unwanted cells via DNA fragmentation. Understanding its complex molecular regulation is key to addressing diseases linked to its dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Apoptosis is a fundamental physiological process for eliminating unwanted cells during development.
  • Characterized by DNA fragmentation and apoptotic body formation, it involves numerous death and survival genes.
  • Regulation is complex, influenced by extracellular factors, receptors, and signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic cell death.
  • To highlight the significance of apoptosis in health and disease.
  • To provide insights for developing strategies to regulate cell survival and death.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic analysis to identify involved genes.
  • Review of literature on extracellular factors, receptors, and signaling pathways.
  • Examination of the role of apoptosis in various ailments.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis involves intricate interactions between death/survival genes, regulated by external signals.
  • Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in the etiology of numerous diseases.
  • Understanding molecular events offers potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Elucidating the molecular intricacies of apoptosis is crucial for therapeutic development.
  • Targeting apoptosis pathways may offer novel strategies for disease treatment.
  • Further research into apoptosis regulation can advance our understanding of cell fate.

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