Evolution of caspase-mediated cell death and differentiation: twins separated at birth.
The phenotypic and biochemical similarities between caspase-mediated apoptosis and cellular differentiation are striking. They include such diverse phenomenon as mitochondrial membrane perturbations, cytoskeletal rearrangements and DNA fragmentation. The parallels between the two disparate processes suggest some common ancestry and highlight the paradoxical nature of the death-centric view of caspases. That is, what is the driving selective pressure that sustains death-inducing proteins throughout eukaryotic evolution? Plausibly, caspase function may be rooted in a primordial non-death function, such as cell differentiation, and was co-opted for its role in programmed cell death. This review will delve into the links between caspase-mediated apoptosis and cell differentiation and examine the distinguishing features of these events. More critically, we chronicle the evolutionary origins of caspases and propose that caspases may have held an ancient role in mediating the fidelity of cell division/differentiation through its effects on proteostasis and protein quality control.
Regenerative Medicine Program, Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Ryan A V
RAV
Bell
Regenerative Medicine Program, Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.|Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Lynn A
LA
Megeney
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D020169:Caspases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000074702:Proteostasis / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D020169:Caspases