Transcriptional control of the core cell-death machinery
Date
2004
Authors
Kumar, S.
Cakouros, D.
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Journal article
Citation
Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 2004; 29(4):193-196
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Abstract
Developmental and physiological cues, as well as signals in response to cell damage, initiate a cell suicide program that is often referred to as apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD). PCD is mediated by the core cell-death machinery consisting of proteins that mediate and control the activation of caspases - enzymes that dismantle cellular architecture during apoptosis. Because components of the caspase-activation apparatus are constitutively present in most cells, most studies during the last decade have focused on the posttranslational regulation of this preexisting machinery. However, accumulating evidence suggests that, in many contexts, transcriptional regulation also plays a crucial role in the activation of the physiological cell-death program.