Apoptosis Significance and Molecular Mechanisms-A Review Merlin NJ1,*, Parthasarathy V1, Manavalan R1, Devi P2, Meera R2 1Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode-608002, 2K.M.College of Pharmacy, Uthangudi, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India. Pincode-625107 *Corresponding Author E-mail: merlinbinu76@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 13 March, 2013. Abstract Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is a pivotal defense against the occurrence of cancer and is essential to metazoans in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis exhibits a distinctive phenotype and involves elimination of potentially deleterious cells. Many diseases have been associated with aberrantly regulated apoptotic cell death, ultimately leading to inhibition of apoptosis and propagation of diseases such as cancer. This review highlights the significance of apoptosis, molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and various methods of causing cell death. Top Keywords Apoptosis, programmed cell death, significance, mechanisms, caspases, Bcl-2 family. Top |