Thymocyte apoptosis: a model of programmed cell death.
Recently there has been widespread appreciation for the role of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in the maintenance of tissue structure and function. Studies in several model systems have revealed that apoptosis is profoundly regulated by a number of diverse hormones, including steroids. The killing of immature thymic lymphocytes by glucocorticoids has emerged as an important model to define the biochemical mechanisms that mediate the programmed cell death process. Using this model, we, and others, have shown that lymphocytes degrade their DNA in response to glucocorticoids. The onset of DNA degradation precedes cell death and is the probable cause of apoptosis. This unique response to endocrine signal transduction will undoubtedly promise new insights into the mechanism of hormone action.
Compton
M M
MM
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Cidlowski
J A
JA