This Article Free Full Text Free Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Elmore, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Elmore, S. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Apoptosis: A Review of Programmed Cell Death

NIEHS, Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA

Correspondence: Address correspondence to: Susan Elmore, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; e-mail:elmore{at}niehs.nih.gov

The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is generally characterized by distinct morphological characteristics and energy-dependent biochemical mechanisms. Apoptosis is considered a vital component of various processes including normal cell turnover, proper development and functioning of the immune system, hormone-dependent atrophy, embryonic development and chemical-induced cell death. Inappropriate apoptosis (either too little or too much) is a factor in many human conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic damage, autoimmune disorders and many types of cancer. The ability to modulate the life or death of a cell is recognized for its immense therapeutic potential. Therefore, research continues to focus on the elucidation and analysis of the cell cycle machinery and signaling pathways that control cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. To that end, the field of apoptosis research has been moving forward at an alarmingly rapid rate. Although many of the key apoptotic proteins have been identified, the molecular mechanisms of action or inaction of these proteins remain to be elucidated. The goal of this review is to provide a general overview of current knowledge on the process of apoptosis including morphology, biochemistry, the role of apoptosis in health and disease, detection methods, as well as a discussion of potential alternative forms of apoptosis.

Key Words: Apoptosis • programmed cell death • intrinsic/extrinsic pathway • granzyme A/B • perforin • autophagy

Toxicologic Pathology, Vol. 35, No. 4, 495-516 (2007)
DOI: 10.1080/01926230701320337


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. R.S. Broughton, D. C. Reutens, and C. G. Sobey Apoptotic Mechanisms After Cerebral Ischemia Stroke, May 1, 2009; 40(5): e331 - e339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A M Florena, C Tripodo, A Di Bernardo, E Iannitto, C Guarnotta, R Porcasi, S Ingrao, V Abbadessa, and V Franco Different immunophenotypical apoptotic profiles characterise megakaryocytes of essential thrombocythaemia and primary myelofibrosis J. Clin. Pathol., April 1, 2009; 62(4): 331 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Jimenez, J. M. Capasso, C. L. Edelstein, C. J. Rivard, S. Lucia, S. Breusegem, T. Berl, and M. Segovia Different ways to die: cell death modes of the unicellular chlorophyte Dunaliella viridis exposed to various environmental stresses are mediated by the caspase-like activity DEVDase J. Exp. Bot., March 1, 2009; 60(3): 815 - 828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Yamada, K. Ichimura, M. Kanekatsu, and W. G. van Doorn Homologs of Genes Associated with Programmed Cell Death in Animal Cells are Differentially Expressed During Senescence of Ipomoea nil Petals Plant Cell Physiol., March 1, 2009; 50(3): 610 - 625. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. J. Bartlett, A.-M. Cruz, J. Esker, A. Castano, H. Schomacker, S. R. Surman, M. Hennessey, J. Boonyaratanakornkit, R. J. Pickles, P. L. Collins, et al. Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 C Proteins Are Nonessential Proteins That Inhibit the Host Interferon and Apoptotic Responses and Are Required for Efficient Replication in Nonhuman Primates J. Virol., September 15, 2008; 82(18): 8965 - 8977. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Trisciuoglio, B. Uranchimeg, J. H. Cardellina, T. L. Meragelman, S. Matsunaga, N. Fusetani, D. Del Bufalo, R. H. Shoemaker, and G. Melillo Induction of Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells by Candidaspongiolide, a Novel Sponge Polyketide J Natl Cancer Inst, September 3, 2008; 100(17): 1233 - 1246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.-S. Tseng and M. Levin Tail Regeneration in Xenopus laevis as a Model for Understanding Tissue Repair Journal of Dental Research, September 1, 2008; 87(9): 806 - 816. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Moquet, E. Ainsbury, S. Bouffler, and D. Lloyd Exposure to low level GSM 935 MHZ radiofrequency fields does not induce apoptosis in proliferating or differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells Radiat Prot Dosimetry, September 1, 2008; 131(3): 287 - 296. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I.-S. Hong, A. P. Cheung, and P. C. K. Leung Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones I and II Induce Apoptosis in Human Granulosa Cells J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2008; 93(8): 3179 - 3185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]