Apoptosis: Molecular machinery

The term apoptosis is currently used as a synonym for programmed cell death . It is an essential physiological process required for normal development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, When dysregulated, apoptosis can con tribute to the development of various diseases like cancer, autoimmune or n euro-degenerative diseases. Central components of the apoptotic machinery, which have been conserved during the evolution include Bcl-2, Apaf-1 (apopt otic pretense activating factor 1) and caspase family members. Biochemical hallmark of apoptosis includes activation of endonucleases, DNA degradation into oligonucleosomal fragments and activation of a family of cysteine pro teases called caspases, We do not intend to comprehensively review the field, but we have tried to develop a simplified picture of apoptotic mechanism on the basis of recent insights in the area.