Cell death by necrosis: towards a molecular definition

Vincent submitted, created time 9 months 3 weeks (images.cell.com)

Necrosis has been defined as a type of cell death that
lacks the features of apoptosis and autophagy, and is
usually considered to be uncontrolled. Recent research
suggests, however, that its occurrence and course might
be tightly regulated. After signaling- or damage-induced
lesions, necrosis can include signs of controlled processes
such as mitochondrial dysfunction, enhanced
generation of reactive oxygen species, ATP depletion,
proteolysis by calpains and cathepsins, and early plasma
membrane rupture. In addition, the inhibition of specific
proteins involved in regulating apoptosis or autophagy
can change the type of cell death to necrosis. Because
necrosis is prominent in ischemia, trauma and possibly
some forms of neurodegeneration, further biochemical
comprehension and molecular definition of this process
could have important clinical implications.

Keywords: apoptosis cancer tumors necrosis