TRANSGLUTAMINASE INDUCTION BY VARIOUS CELL-DEATH AND APOPTOSIS PATHWAYS

Clarification of the molecular details of forms of natural cell death, including apoptosis, has become one of the most challenging issues of contemporary biomedical sciences. One of the effector elements of var ious cell death pathways is the covalent cross-linking of cellular pro teins by transglutaminases. This review will discuss the accumulating data related to the induction and regulation of these enzymes, particu larly of tissue type transglutaminase, in the molecular program of cel l death. A wide range of signalling pathways can lead to the parallel induction of apoptosis and transglutaminase, providing a handle for be tter understanding the exact molecular interactions responsible for th e mechanism of regulated cell death.