Cell cycle and apoptosis

In multicellular organisms, cell proliferation and death must be regulated to maintain tissue homeostasis, Many observations suggest that this regulat ion may be achieved, in part, by coupling the process of cell cycle progres sion and programmed cell death by using and controlling a shared set of fac tors. An argument in favor of a link between the cell cycle and apoptosis a rises from the accumulated evidence that manipulation of the cell cycle may either prevent or induce an apoptotic response. This linkage has been reco gnized for tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and RS,the dominant oncogene, c-Myc, and several cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) and their regulators. T hese proteins that function in proliferative pathways may also act to sensi tize cells to apoptosis. Indeed, unregulated cell proliferation can result in pathologic conditions including neoplasias if it is not countered by the appropriate cell death. Translating the knowledge gained by studying the c onnection between cell death and cell proliferation may aid in identifying novel therapies to circumvent disease progression or improve clinical outco me.