The apoptosome is a multimolecular complex assembled around the adaptor protein Apaf I upon mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The formation of the apoptosome needs the presence of ATP/dATP and cytochrome c in the cytosol and triggers the activation of caspases which - in turn - drive cell demise. Apoptosis plays a key role in the homeostasis of all multicellular organisms and, indeed, with regard to its essential components the apoptosome is evolutionary conserved. However, higher eukaryotes, according to their complexity, have evolved more complicated and finely tuned mechanisms for controlling apoptosome activity. Since apoptosome dysfunctions can cause many human diseases, this complex is also a relevant molecular target in biomedicine and the understanding of its structure and its regulation is matter of great interest for scientists.
Ferraro, E., Fuoco, C., Strappazzon, F., Cecconi, F. (2010). Apoptosome structure and regulation. In Apoptosome: An Up-and-coming Therapeutical Tool (pp. 27-39). 233 SPRING STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10013, UNITED STATES : SPRINGER [10.1007/978-90-481-3415-1_2].
Apoptosome structure and regulation
Fuoco C.;Cecconi F.
2010-01-01
Abstract
The apoptosome is a multimolecular complex assembled around the adaptor protein Apaf I upon mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The formation of the apoptosome needs the presence of ATP/dATP and cytochrome c in the cytosol and triggers the activation of caspases which - in turn - drive cell demise. Apoptosis plays a key role in the homeostasis of all multicellular organisms and, indeed, with regard to its essential components the apoptosome is evolutionary conserved. However, higher eukaryotes, according to their complexity, have evolved more complicated and finely tuned mechanisms for controlling apoptosome activity. Since apoptosome dysfunctions can cause many human diseases, this complex is also a relevant molecular target in biomedicine and the understanding of its structure and its regulation is matter of great interest for scientists.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
