Apoptosis

Overview

Apoptosis is a physiological, genetically controlled autodestructive process in cells that is activatedby a perishing cell in situations in which it has become useless, undesirable or harmful for thetissue or the organism. Apoptosis occurs in all multicellular and certain unicellular organisms, andis of fundamental importance in resistance to viruses and bacteria, in morphogenesis, homeostasis,ontogenesis, and in the functioning of the immune system, as well as in responses to various injuries,particularly in degenerative and oncogenic diseases.Reviewed briefly are fundamental pieces of knowledge on the morphology and mechanism ofapoptosis, particularly on the degradation of DNA, activation of proteases, transduction of theapoptotic signal, genetic regulation of the process of apoptosis, and on the significance of apoptosisin the pathogenesis of certain diseases.

Key words:
apoptosis - review article - basic data