Scribd
Upload
4 views5 pages

U13_LA_Mechanisms of Apoptosis_Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways

The document discusses the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, highlighting their mechanisms and roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The intrinsic pathway is triggered by internal cellular stress, while the extrinsic pathway is initiated by external signals. Both pathways converge on effector caspases that dismantle the cell, and disruptions in these pathways can lead to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Uploaded by

corverajian8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views5 pages

U13_LA_Mechanisms of Apoptosis_Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways

The document discusses the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, highlighting their mechanisms and roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The intrinsic pathway is triggered by internal cellular stress, while the extrinsic pathway is initiated by external signals. Both pathways converge on effector caspases that dismantle the cell, and disruptions in these pathways can lead to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Uploaded by

corverajian8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Republic of the Philippines

North Eastern Mindanao State University


Unit XIII: Apoptosis and Cell Death
Lesson A: Mechanisms of Apoptosis: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways

Intended Learning Outcome:

A. Compare the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, predicting their roles
in maintaining tissue homeostasis.

Content:

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways of Apoptosis


Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that maintains tissue homeostasis by removing
damaged or unnecessary cells. Two main pathways lead to apoptosis: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Key Differences
1. Initiating Signals:
o Intrinsic Pathway: Triggered by internal cellular stress, such as DNA
damage, oncogene activation, hypoxia, or survival factor deprivation. It is
mediated by mitochondrial signals.
o Extrinsic Pathway: Initiated by external signals, such as the binding of
death ligands (e.g., FasL, TNF-α) to death receptors on the cell membrane.
2. Key Regulators:
o Intrinsic Pathway:
▪ Controlled by the Bcl2 family proteins.
▪ Stress activates p53, leading to upregulation of pro-apoptotic
proteins like BAX, Noxa, and PUMA.
▪ Mitochondria release cytochrome c, forming the apoptosome with
APAF1 and Caspase-9.
o Extrinsic Pathway:
▪ Death receptors like Fas and TNFR1 recruit adapter proteins (e.g.,
FADD) to form the Death-Inducing Signaling Complex (DISC).
▪ Caspase-8 is activated, leading to downstream caspase activation.
3. Caspase Activation:
o Both pathways converge on the activation of effector caspases (e.g.,
Caspase-3) that dismantle the cell.
Roles in Tissue Homeostasis
1. Intrinsic Pathway:
o Responds to internal cellular integrity.
o Prevents the propagation of damaged cells, thereby reducing cancer risks
and maintaining genetic stability.
2. Extrinsic Pathway:
o Mediates immune responses by eliminating infected or dysfunctional cells.
o Regulates immune tolerance and inflammation through ligand-mediated
death.
Convergence of Pathways
• Caspase-8 (from the extrinsic pathway) can cleave BID into tBID, which then
activates the intrinsic pathway by promoting mitochondrial outer membrane
permeabilization.
• This crosstalk highlights the coordinated role of both pathways in maintaining
cellular and tissue equilibrium.

Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308


086-628-0714
www.nemsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
By understanding these mechanisms, researchers can predict how disruptions may lead to
diseases such as cancer (insufficient apoptosis) or neurodegenerative disorders (excessive
apoptosis).

Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308


086-628-0714
www.nemsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University

Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308


086-628-0714
www.nemsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University

Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308


086-628-0714
www.nemsu.edu.ph
Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
References
Book:
Brooker, R. J., Widmaier, E. P., Graham, L. E., & Stiling, P. D. (2020). Biology. McGraw-Hill
Education. ISBN 978-1-260-56998-8.
Starr, C., Taggart, R., Evers, C., & Starr, L. (2019). Biology: The unity and diversity of life (15th
ed.). Cengage Learning Asia.

Prepared By:

JULITO S. GULLE JR., MSciEd


Instructor I

Tagbina, Surigao del Sur 8308


086-628-0714
www.nemsu.edu.ph

You might also like