Cellular catabolism in apoptosis: DNA degradation and endonuclease activation.
Recent research has focused on identifying the biochemical events associated with the apoptotic process. These include specific degradation of the chromatin which was described by Wyllie in 1980 [1], with the report of the appearance of discretely sized DNA fragments from apoptotic rat thymocytes. The fragments corresponded in size to strands of DNA that were cleaved at internucleosomal regions and create a 'ladder pattern' when electrophoresed on an agarose gel. Because of its near universality, internucleosomal DNA degradation is considered a diagnostic hallmark of cells undergoing apoptosis. It is of great interest to identify the enzymes involved, and some of the candidates will be discussed.
Montague
J W
JW
National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
Cidlowski
J A
JA
D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D004720:Endonucleases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; D004720:Endonucleases; C071211:endonuclease NUC18; D010450:Endopeptidases; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase