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Is caspase‐dependent apoptosis only cell differentiation taken to the extreme?
Author(s) -
Fernando Pasan,
Megeney Lynn A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.06-5912hyp
Subject(s) - multicellular organism , apoptosis , programmed cell death , organism , microbiology and biotechnology , mechanism (biology) , cell fate determination , cell , biology , function (biology) , caspase , cellular differentiation , model organism , genetics , gene , physics , transcription factor , quantum mechanics
The benefits of apoptosis for a multicellular organism are obvious and fit the current dogma that the maintenance and viability of such organisms are dependent on the selective elimination of unneeded or deleterious cell types. However, self destruction at the level of the individual cell defies the most basic precepts of biology (sustaining life). If apoptosis is viewed through this construct then one question becomes paramount, i.e ., why would an individual cell and its progeny develop, retain, or evolve a mechanism the sole purpose of which is to eliminate itself? In consideration of such a paradox, it is reasonable to postulate that prospective apoptotic pathways co‐evolved with and or were co‐opted from another basic cell function(s) that did not involve the death of the cell per se. In the following article, we present the hypothesis that the conserved biochemical pathways of apoptosis are integral components of terminal cell differentiation and it is the time of engagement and activity level of these pathways that ultimately determines the choice between cell death or cell maturation. Fernando, P., Megeney, L. A. Is caspase‐dependent apoptosis only cell differentiation taken to the extreme? FASEB J. 21, 8–17 (2007)