title: Role of Apaf-1, a key regulator of apoptosis, in melanoma progression and chemoresistance.
abstract: Apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) is a key regulator of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, being the central element of the multimeric apoptosome formed by procaspase 9, cytochrome c, and Apaf-1 itself. In this review, the principal aspects about Apaf-1 gene structure and function, and its role in the apoptotic machinery, are described. Moreover, the most recent findings about the involvement of this molecule in melanoma progression and chemoresistance, as well as the clinico-pathological relevance of these findings in the treatment of this deadly disease, are reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysic F. Cedrangolo, Section of Pathology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campioni
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murace
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dragonetti
authors.forename: Enrico P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Spugnini
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: C506592:APAF1 protein, human; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins