doi: 10.5732/cjc.012.10106

The cellular decision between apoptosis and autophagy

Yong-Jun Fan, Wei-Xing Zong

Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.

[Abstract] Apoptosis and autophagy are important molecular processes that maintain organismal and cellular homeostasis, respectively. While apoptosis fulfills its role through dismantling damaged or unwanted cells, autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis through recycling selective intracellular organelles and molecules. Yet in some conditions, autophagy can lead to cell death. Apoptosis and autophagy can be stimulated by the same stresses. Emerging evidence indicates an interplay between the core proteins in both pathways, which underlies the molecular mechanism of the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy. This review summarizes recent literature on molecules that regulate both the apoptotic and autophagic processes.

Chinese Journal of Cancer 2013, Volume: 32, Issue 3, Page: 121-129

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Yong-Jun Fan, Wei-Xing Zong. The cellular decision between apoptosis and autophagy. Chin J Cancer. 2013, 32(3):121-129. doi:10.5732/cjc.012.10106


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