Pathways of apoptosis

Pathways of apoptosis. The ‘intrinsic’ and ‘extrinsic’ apoptosis pathways converge on the effector caspases, such as caspase 3, which promote the biochemical and morphological characteristics of apoptosis. The ‘extrinsic’ pathway is activated by cell-surface death receptors, such as Fas, and is mediated by activation of the initiator caspase, caspase 8, within a death-inducing signalling complex (DISC). The ‘intrinsic’ pathway is activated by a wide range of stimuli which trigger the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, leading to the activation of a distinct initiator caspase, caspase 9, within the apoptosome. In some situations, the activation of caspase 8 can lead to the cleavage of Bid, which is also able to promote cytochrome c release. Bcl-2 family proteins play a key role in controlling mitochondrial function associated with the ‘intrinsic’ cell-death pathway, either preventing or promoting the release of cytochrome c.

Publication

Bodyguards and assassins: Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis control in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. (2005) Graham Packham, et al. Immunology. 2005 Apr;114(4):441-449. Figure: F2. Drosophila melanogaster

Disease mentions