Abstract
Apoptosis plays a critical role during normal development and homeostasis of adult tissues. Consequently, deregulation of apoptosis is commonly associated with diseases ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. Toxicants also induce cell death via apoptosis, and in most cases this involves the activation of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases (caspases). In this chapter, we describe in biochemical and structural detail the mechanisms that mediate the activation of caspases within large multimeric complexes, including the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and the Apaf-1 apoptosome. In addition, we cover each of the factors known to directly or indirectly regulate the activation (or activity) of caspases, including inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) and BCL-2 family members, as well as their antagonists.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Comprehensive Toxicology |
Subtitle of host publication | Second Edition |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 543-578 |
Number of pages | 36 |
Volume | 2-14 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780080468846 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Apaf-1
- Apoptosome
- BCL-2
- Caspases
- DISC
- Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine