Cytoskeleton rearrangements during the execution phase of apoptosis

Apoptosis is a regulated energy-dependent process for the elimination of unnecessary or damaged cells during embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and many pathological conditions. Apoptosis is characterized by specific morphological and biochemical features in which caspase activation has a piv...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Porcuna, Jesús, Cruz, Patricia de la, Oropesa-Ávila, Manuel, Villanueva-Paz, Marina, Lavera, I. de, Mata, Mario de la, Álvarez-Córdoba, Mónica, Luzón-Hidalgo, Raquel, Suarez-Rivero, Juan M., Cotán, David, Sánchez-Alcázar, José Antonio
Tipo de recurso: otro
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/164098
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/164098
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Actin
Apoptosis
Apoptotic microtubule network
Microtubules
Descripción
Sumario:Apoptosis is a regulated energy-dependent process for the elimination of unnecessary or damaged cells during embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and many pathological conditions. Apoptosis is characterized by specific morphological and biochemical features in which caspase activation has a pivotal role. During apoptosis, cells undergo characteristic morphological reorganizations in which the cytoskeleton participates actively. Traditionally, this cytoskeleton rearrangement has been assigned mainly to actinomyosin ring contraction, with microtubule and intermediate filaments both reported to be depolymerized at early stages of apoptosis. However, recent results have shown that microtubules are reformed during the execution phase of apoptosis forming an apoptotic microtubule network (AMN). Current hypothesis proposes that AMN is required to maintain plasma membrane integrity and cell morphology during the execution phase of apoptosis. AMN disruption provokes apoptotic cell collapse, secondary necrosis and the subsequent release of toxic molecules which can damage surrounding cells and promote inflammation. Therefore, AMN formation in physiological or pathological apoptosis is essential for tissue homeostasis.