title: Regulation of the apoptosis-necrosis switch.
abstract: Execution of the apoptotic program involves a relatively limited number of pathways. According to a general view, these would converge to activate the caspase family of proteases. However, there is increasing evidence that apoptotic-like features can also be found when caspases are inhibited. Moreover, under pathological conditions, apoptosis and nonapoptotic death paradigms are often interwined, which suggest that, in vivo, cells may use diverging execution pathways. Molecular switches between apoptosis and necrosis include adenosine triphosphate-dependent steps in the activation of caspases or steps sensitive to reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. In turn, caspase activation can cause necrosis by promoting ion overload.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK. pn10@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nicotera
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melino
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009336:Necrosis; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D020169:Caspases