Defying death after DNA damage

DNA damage frequently triggers death by apoptosis. The irreversible decisio n to die can be facilitated or forestalled through integration of a wide va riety of stimuli from within and around the cell. Here we address some fund amental questions that arise from this model. Why should DNA damage initiat e apoptosis in the first place? In damaged cells, what are the alternatives to death and why should they be selected in some circumstances but not oth ers? What signals register DNA damage and how do they impinge on the effect or pathways of apoptosis? Is there a suborganellar apoptosome complex effec ting the integration of death signals within the nucleus, just as there is in the cytoplasm? And what are the consequences of failure to initiate apop tosis in response to DNA damage?.