3-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURES OF PROTEINS INVOLVED IN PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a controlled process by which unw anted cells are selectively eliminated. Several families of proteins i ncluding the Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, and caspase fami lies play essential roles in the regulation, signaling, and execution of the genetic cell death program. The recently described three-dimens ional structures of members of these families elucidate the structural basis of their functions and provide insights into the mechanisms by which these proteins regulate apoptosis. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limit ed.