Apoptosis: Molecules and mechanisms

This review of the molecules and pathways involved in programmed cell death (apoptosis) discriminates triggers of apoptosis (e.g. chemotherapy, radiation, Fas ligation), modulators of apoptosis (e.g. Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-2 interacting proteins, Apafs, IAPs, and Fas/FasL modulators including FLICE and FLIPs), effectors (caspases 1-13) and cleavage substrates (e.g. PARP). Special consideration is given to the structure-function relationship of Bcl-2 family members and to their post-transcriptional modification. Brief references are made to the role of apoptotic pathway in leukemias and lymphomas and to strategies of modulating apoptotic pathways.