Apoptosis is a highly regulated and critical homeostatic process in multicellular organisms. Aberrations in this form of programmed cell death have been implicated in several pathological conditions including cancer, muscular atrophy, and autoimmune disease. The biochemical and morphological events underlying apoptosis include perturbations in mitochondrial membrane potential, death receptors on the cell surface, recruitment of adapter proteins, caspase activation, and condensation of chromatin along with nuclear fragmentation. These remarkable cellular events are discussed along with a wide range of assays useful in detecting early or late events.

Download this eBook from The Scientist to find out more about:
• The intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways
• The biochemical and morphological stages of apoptosis
• Apoptosis signs and signals
• Nuclear events during apoptosis

This free eBook was made possible by an educational grant from Biotium.

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