Commitment to apoptosis induced by tumour necrosis factor-α is dependent on caspase activity

摘要: Tumour Necrosis Factor α binding at the cell surface induces a complex series of signaling events culminating in caspase cascade, which is central to apoptosis. However, recent work from several laboratories has questioned involvement commitment death. We have therefore investigated caspases crucial stage tumour necrosis factor-induced apoptosis human T-leukaemic CEM-C7 cells and breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, using both peptide-based viral inhibitors. Our observations converge on conclusion that death these systems dependent activity, e.g. baculovirus p35 produces over 50-fold protection colony-forming ability, most stringent criterion survival. These strongly support view family great biological medical significance, since dysfunction resulting failure commit after treatment with factor or other stimuli may contribute cancer development.