Tantalizing Thanatos: unexpected links in death pathways.
Cell death is most frequently the result of apoptosis, an event that is often controlled by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP). Recent data reveal unexpected functional links between apoptosis and autophagic cell death, in the sense that MMP can trigger autophagy of damaged mitochondria. Conversely, one of the major signal-transducing molecules involved in the activation of autophagy during apoptosis--the so-called DAP kinase--can induce cell death through MMP. Connections are also emerging between apoptosis, autophagy, replicative senescence and cancer-specific metabolic changes.
Cohen
Isabelle
I
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR1599, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille-Desmoulins, F-94805 Villejuif, France.
Castedo
Maria
M
Kroemer
Guido
G
D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology*; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D006593:Hexokinase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010539:Permeability; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D006593:Hexokinase; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases