A Cell’s Fate: An Overview of the Molecular Biology and Genetics of Apoptosis

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 20; no. 17; p. 4133
• Main Authors: Cavalcante, Giovanna C., Schaan, Ana Paula, Cabral, Gleyce Fonseca, Santana-da-Silva, Mayara Natália, Pinto, Pablo, Vidal, Amanda F., Ribeiro-dos-Santos, Ândrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.08.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Adapter proteins; Animals; Apoptosis; Biomarkers; Cell Physiological Phenomena; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA damage; Epigenesis, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Kinases; Ligands; Mitochondria - genetics; Mitochondria - metabolism; Molecular Biology; Receptors, Death Domain - genetics; Receptors, Death Domain - metabolism; Review; Signal Transduction; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; regulated cell death; apoptosis; genetics; miRNAs; mitochondria
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174133

Apoptosis is one of the main types of regulated cell death, a complex process that can be triggered by external or internal stimuli, which activate the extrinsic or the intrinsic pathway, respectively. Among various factors involved in apoptosis, several genes and their interactive networks are crucial regulators of the outcomes of each apoptotic phase. Furthermore, mitochondria are key players in determining the way by which cells will react to internal stress stimuli, thus being the main contributor of the intrinsic pathway, in addition to providing energy for the whole process. Other factors that have been reported as important players of this intricate molecular network are miRNAs, which regulate the genes involved in the apoptotic process. Imbalance in any of these mechanisms can lead to the development of several illnesses, hence, an overall understanding of these processes is essential for the comprehension of such situations. Although apoptosis has been widely studied, the current literature lacks an updated and more general overview on this subject. Therefore, here, we review and discuss the mechanisms of apoptosis, highlighting the roles of genes, miRNAs, and mitochondria involved in this type of cell death.