Chronicles of a silent death: Apoptosis

Abstract:

In whole human body thousands and thousands of cells are produced by mitosis every second and a similar number dies at the same time through a genetically controlled pathway of cellular self-destruction: apoptosis. The homeostatic balance between proliferation and cell death occur in a finely regulated manner during embryonic development and throughout life. However, this balance is often altered by both internal and/or external agents such as inherited mutations or chemotherapy, respectively; acting like mutagens and providing an unlimited proliferation level where affected cells evade apoptosis and lead cancer. Currently, chemotherapy is the most used strategy for preventing and fight against cancer; nevertheless, it is not specific and it could produce serious side effects including the generation of a second tumor. Activation or reactivation of apoptosis in cancer cells using specific and natural drugs discovered is one of the key alternatives to combat this disease, which occurs in a silent manner and without adverse effects. This review presents the main dramatic features that occur during apoptosis activation and the main proteins, which trigger and inhibits this death pathway.

Año de publicación:

2012

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