[Molecular control of apoptosis].
Apoptotic cell death is a natural event necessary to shaping the developing nervous system and is a feature of neurodegenerative disease pathology. Subtle interactions between pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules are controlled by environmental factors such as trophic factors. The mitochondrion is a major component regulating these interactions. At the time of apoptosis, proteases, called caspases, are activated to ensure cell breakdown. In living cells, intracellular components ensure the inhibition of caspases. As such, caspases are therapeutic targets to induce or to prevent apoptosis.
Hôpital Universitaire de Genève, Belle-Idée, 2, chemin du Petit Bel-Air, 1225 Chêne-Bourg, Geneva, Switzerland. Michel.Dubois-Dauphin.medecine.unige.ch
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D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
D020169:Caspases