In multicellular organisms, cell death is the process by which cells cease to function. It is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and eliminating potentially harmful cells. Although cell death can be caused by overwhelming damage, in most cases, they are the result of specific signaling events. Characterized by different morphologies, apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and necrosis are the three main types of cell death, as they are executed in response to specific stimuli through distinct but sometimes overlapping signaling pathways.
Specifically, apoptosis, or type I cell death, is the process of programmed cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, global mRNA decay, and condensation of the chromatin (pyknosis). It is also defined as cell death accompanied by caspase activation. The major signaling pathways that trigger apoptotic cell death are the mitochondrial (the intrinsic) pathway and the death receptor (the extrinsic) pathway. Apoptosis is an essential part of various processes, such as normal cell turnover, immune responses, and embryonic development. Inappropriate apoptosis is associated with many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic injury, autoimmune diseases and many types of cancer.
As for autophagic cell death (ACD), or type II cell death, it is involved in the autophagic machinery and is characterized by the formation of large intracellular vesicles. Autophagy, also known as microautophagy, is a well-defined catabolic process engaged in respond to metabolic crises or damaged cell component removal. In most cases, autophagy accompanies type II cell death without promoting it. However, it appears to be involved in cell death in some cases, such as the involution of the salivary gland driven by autophagy-dependent cell death during Drosophila metamorphosis. Autophagy has been implicated in physiological and pathological processes such as development, cell differentiation, infection and cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that ACD is involved in several aspects of mammalian physiology and psychological disorders.
CD BioSciences now offers a series of solutions for cell death research, including Regulator Identification to identify gene regulators participating in a certain cell death signaling pathway; Regulator Characterization to study the molecular function of a certain regulator in cell death signaling pathways; Phenotype Analysis to analyze the cellular phenotypes regulated by gene/protein of interest; Animal Model Generation to generate genetically engineered animal models for research use; and Chemical Screening to screen inhibitors or activators of certain types of cell death.
CD BioSciences is committed to assisting researchers in academia and biopharma who are confronting an array of challenges. For customers interested in more information about cell death solutions or any other signaling pathways, please visit CD BioSciences at https://www.cd-biosciences.com.
about CD BioSciences
CD BioSciences is a trusted research product supplier and CRO based in New York. With high-quality reagents and comprehensive services, CD BioSciences is a one-stop shop devoted to advancing signaling pathway studies for researchers.
