title: The role of Apaf-1 in programmed cell death: from worm to tumor.
abstract: Apoptosis or programmed cell death is an important process to eliminate unnecessary or hazardous cells. Apaf-1, a mammalian homologue of CED-4 of C. elegans, is the essential adaptor molecule in the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Mice lacking Apaf-1 show accumulation of neurons in the developing central nervous system due to reduced apoptosis. Apaf-1-deficient cells are remarkably resistant to various apoptotic stimuli. Apaf-1-mediated apoptosis plays a role in the prevention of tumorigenesis. However, Apaf-1-independent cell death pathways are also indicated. In this review, we will summarize what has been learned about the role of Apaf-1 by biochemical and genetical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. hyoshida@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C506592:APAF1 protein, human; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D011506:Proteins