Regulation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathways

Apoptosis or programmed cell death can be induced by a variety of stimuli i ncluding activation of death receptors. This subgroup of the TNF/NGF-recept or-superfamily activates caspases, a family of aspartyl-specific cysteine-p roteases, which are the main executioners of apoptosis. Depending on the ce ll type, signalling pathways downstream of the death receptors can be modul ated by different proteins such as Bcl-2, FLIPs, chaperones and kinases. De regulation of apoptosis has been associated with diseases as cancer, autoim munity and AIDS. Therefore, the identification of modulators of apoptosis h as several therapeutic implications. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.