apoptosis/oncosis/necrosis
Chris Carthy (CCarthy@prl.pulmonary.ubc.ca)
Sun, 2 Nov 1997 12:04:05 -0800 PST
I think that some of latest research is suggesting that the
difference between oncosis/necrosis and apoptosis is much less
than previously believed. Using biochemical analysis of cell death
pathways (looking for cysteine protease (caspase family) activation
and cleavage of substrates (responsible for morphology changes)),
both processes share common features.
Also, by inhibiting caspase activation in classical apoptosis
systems, the cells die, although delayed, by necrosis. This is also
true for classical necrosis models, where cysteine protease
inhibition or bcl-2/bcl-xl overexpression delays cell death. The
biochemical differences between apoptosis, and necrosis/oncosis will definitely be an
active area of debate in the future.
Chris Carthy
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Cardiovascular Research Laboratory
McDonald Research Wing
St. Paul's Hospital - University of British Columbia
Phone (604)631-5659 or 5275
Fax (604)631-5351 or 5208