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Cell death genes in invertebrates and (maybe) vertebrates
R S Freeman1, S Estus, K Horigome
1Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Programmed cell death is increasingly accepted as a normal physiological process. However, definitive evidence for a genetic program driving cell death in vertebrates is still lacking, with proposed genes remaining theoretical.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Naturally occurring cell death is recognized as an active and physiologically appropriate process in nervous and other systems.
- Recent advances include identifying cell death genes in invertebrates and characterizing cell death suppressors.
- Proto-oncogenes have been shown to induce both cell death and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the current understanding and evidence for programmed cell death mechanisms.
- To investigate the status of genetic programs for cell death in vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on cell death.
- Analysis of findings related to invertebrate cell death genes and vertebrate proto-oncogenes.
Main Results:
- Significant acceptance of cell death as a physiological process.
- Identification of cell death genes and suppressors in invertebrates.
- Demonstration of proto-oncogenes influencing cell death and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- While interest in programmed cell death mechanisms is high, direct evidence for a genetic program in vertebrates is currently circumstantial.
- Vertebrate 'cell death' genes are, at present, theoretical constructs.