Apoptosis regulation by autophagy gene 5.
Autophagy is a cellular process, in which cellular proteins and cytoplasmic organelles are degraded. It reflects the response of a cell to stress or starvation with the primary goal of cell survival. On the other hand, if the autophagic activity is too high, cell death happens, suggesting that this process requires a tight control. Autophagic cell death has often been observed under conditions, in which apoptosis is blocked. Recent studies suggest that autophagy may promote apoptosis and that Bcl-2 cannot block only apoptosis, but also autophagy and autophagic cell death. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the interrelations between autophagy and apoptosis. In particular, we would like to draw the attention of the readers to Atg5, which exhibits, like Bcl-2, a dual function by modulating both autophagy and apoptosis.
Yousefi
Shida
S
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
Simon
Hans-Uwe
HU
D017209:Apoptosis; D001343:Autophagy; D000071187:Autophagy-Related Protein 5; D006801:Humans; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000502:physiology
C502778:ATG5 protein, human; D000071187:Autophagy-Related Protein 5; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2