What is inhibitory apoptozy?

Inhibitory apoptosis refers to the mechanisms cells employ to prevent or delay programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. This is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing premature cell death, which could lead to various diseases.

Here are some key aspects:

  • IAP Family (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins): These are a family of proteins that directly inhibit caspases, the executioner enzymes of apoptosis. They are probably the most well-known and direct inhibitors. Some important concepts related to this family are:

    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/IAP%20proteins" >IAP proteins</a>
    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/XIAP" >XIAP</a>
    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/cIAP1/2" >cIAP1/2</a>
  • Bcl-2 Family Proteins: While some members of the Bcl-2 family promote apoptosis (e.g., Bax, Bak), others are anti-apoptotic (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). These proteins regulate mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), a critical step in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Bcl-2%20family" >Bcl-2 family</a>
    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Anti-apoptotic%20Bcl-2%20proteins" >Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins</a>
  • Survival Signals: Growth factors, cytokines, and other signaling molecules can activate pathways like PI3K/Akt and MAPK, which promote cell survival by phosphorylating and inhibiting pro-apoptotic proteins or upregulating anti-apoptotic proteins.

    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/PI3K/Akt%20pathway" >PI3K/Akt pathway</a>
    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/MAPK%20pathway" >MAPK pathway</a>
  • Inhibition of Caspase Activation: Several mechanisms prevent the activation of caspases, including:

    • Sequestration of initiator caspases (e.g., caspase-9) in inactive complexes.
    • Post-translational modifications of caspases.
  • Regulation of Death Receptors: The activity and expression of death receptors (e.g., Fas, TNF-R1) can be modulated to prevent excessive apoptosis induction.

  • Autophagy: While often considered a cell survival mechanism, autophagy can sometimes contribute to cell death. However, in certain contexts, it can prevent apoptosis by clearing damaged organelles or proteins that could trigger apoptosis.

    • <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Autophagy" >Autophagy</a>

Disruptions in the regulation of inhibitory apoptosis can lead to diseases like cancer (where cells avoid apoptosis and proliferate uncontrollably) or autoimmune disorders (where cells inappropriately resist apoptosis, leading to immune cell accumulation). Conversely, excessive apoptosis can occur in neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic injuries.