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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Live And Let Die: Regulatory Mechanisms In Fas-Mediated Apoptosis, James Curtin, Thomas Cotter Nov 2003

Live And Let Die: Regulatory Mechanisms In Fas-Mediated Apoptosis, James Curtin, Thomas Cotter

Articles

Activation of Fas receptor by Fas ligand causes caspase 8 activation and apoptosis in cells and is an important mechanism by which normal tissue homeostasis and function are maintained. Activation of caspase 8 is preceded by the formation of a death-inducing signalling complex (DISC), and a number of redundant mechanisms regulate DISC formation in vivo. Fas receptor is widely expressed in tissues, and dysfunction of the regulatory mechanisms in Fas receptor signalling has been reported in several diseases including autoimmune disease and cancer. This review aims to identify and discuss the various mechanisms employed by cells to alter their sensitivity …


Defects In Death-Inducing Signalling Complex Formation Prevent Jnk Activation And Fas-Mediated Apoptosis In Du 145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells, James Curtin, Thomas Cotter Nov 2003

Defects In Death-Inducing Signalling Complex Formation Prevent Jnk Activation And Fas-Mediated Apoptosis In Du 145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells, James Curtin, Thomas Cotter

Articles

Androgen-independent prostate carcinomas are resistant to chemotherapy and cell lines derived from androgen-independent prostate carcinomas such as DU 145 cells are highly resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis. The incubation of DU 145 cells with anti-Fas IgM agonistic antibody of Fas receptor fails to activate JNK, a stress kinase involved in regulating apoptosis. We have previously shown that JNK activation is sufficient and necessary to promote Fas-mediated apoptosis in DU 145 cells. We investigate the mechanisms by which JNK activation and apoptosis are abrogated. HSP27 is overexpressed in DU 145 cells and has previously been reported to sequester DAXX and prevent JNK …


Historical Perspectives (Apoptosis), James Curtin, Thomas Cotter Jan 2003

Historical Perspectives (Apoptosis), James Curtin, Thomas Cotter

Articles

Apoptosis is one of the most widely studied fields in biology and accounts for over 2% of all life science publications annually. It plays a fundamental role in development, and defects in the regulation of apoptosis are directly implicated in numerous well-known diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, tissue atrophy and auto-immune diseases. However, the field of apoptosis has humble beginnings and was neglected by biologists for much of its history. This chapter reviews the history of research in apoptosis and highlights key experiments that have contributed significantly to our current understanding of apoptosis. In addition, the topics covered in later …