Lecture Overview

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays important roles during animal development, immune response, elimination of damaged cells, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis is executed by intracellular proteases named caspases that are activated during the onset of apoptosis by extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.

The intrinsic pathway is triggered by the release of proteins such as cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and the extrinsic pathway is activated by the binding of death-inducing cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor to its receptor at the cell surface. Both pathways are regulated at multiple steps to ensure proper apoptosis.

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