The interplay between the Bcl-2 family and death receptor-mediated apoptosis.
Two principal pathways for apoptosis initiation exist. One pathway, which is also termed the 'extrinsic' pathway, is mediated by death receptors, a subgroup of the TNF receptor superfamily. The second pathway, which is also referred to as the 'intrinsic' pathway is controlled by members of the Bcl-2 family. A long standing discussion revolves around the question of how these two pathways influence each other in regulating the decision about life or death of a cell. Here, we review our current knowledge about the interactions between these two pathways and discuss current models which could help to resolve previous apparently contradictory results.
Sprick
Martin R
MR
Department of Apoptosis Regulation, DKFZ Heidelberg, D040, Tumour Immunology Program, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Walczak
Henning
H
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D020169:Caspases