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Emerging roles of apoptotic microtubules during the execution phase of apoptosis
Author(s) -
Oropesa Ávila Manuel,
Fernández Vega Alejandro,
Garrido Maraver Juan,
Villanueva Paz Marina,
De Lavera Isabel,
De La Mata Mario,
Cordero Mario D.,
Alcocer Gómez Elizabet,
Delgado Pavón Ana,
Álvarez Córdoba Mónica,
Cotán David,
SánchezAlcázar José Antonio
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cytoskeleton
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1949-3592
pISSN - 1949-3584
DOI - 10.1002/cm.21254
Subject(s) - biology , apoptosis , microtubule , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Apoptosis is a genetically programmed energy‐dependent process of cell demise, characterized by specific morphological and biochemical events in which the activation of caspases has an essential role. During apoptosis the cytoskeleton participates actively in characteristic morphological rearrangements of the dying cell. This reorganisation has been assigned mainly to actinomyosin ring contraction, while microtubule and intermediate filaments are depolymerized at early stages of apoptosis. However, recent reports have showed that microtubules are reformed during the execution phase of apoptosis organizing an apoptotic microtubule network (AMN). AMN is organized behind plasma membrane, forming a cortical structure. Apoptotic microtubules repolymerization takes place in many cell types and under different apoptotic inducers. It has been hypothesized that AMN is critical for maintaining plasma membrane integrity and cell morphology during the execution phase of apoptosis. AMN disorganization leads apoptotic cells to secondary necrosis and the release of potential toxic molecules which can damage neighbor cells and promotes inflammation. Therefore, AMN formation during physiological apoptosis or in pathological apoptosis induced by anti‐cancer treatments is essential for tissue homeostasis and the prevention of additional cell damage and inflammation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.