Caspase-Independent Cell Death Mechanisms in Simple Animal Models

摘要: Caspase proteases are key mediators of apoptotic cell death, playing both regulatory and executioner roles. Traditionally, the requirement for caspase activity has been one defining features classical apoptosis used to discriminate between different types death. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a wide spectrum death paradigms does not involve proteases. It now established mostly in cases pathological accidental also certain situations developmentally programmed cellular destruction proceeds without activation caspases. Instead, alternative, caspase-independent mechanisms brought bear. In this chapter, we survey two invertebrate animal models, nematode Caenorhabditis elegans fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We highlight common elements among instances demise, which point evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Such likely be relevant humans also.