Disassembly of the Dying: Mechanisms and Functions

The disassembly of an apoptotic cell into subcellular fragments, termed apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), is a hallmark of apoptosis. Although the generation of ApoBDs is generally understood as being stochastic, it is becoming increasingly clear that ApoBD formation is a highly regulated process involving...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in cell biology 2017-02, Vol.27 (2), p.151-162
Main Authors: Atkin-Smith, Georgia K, Poon, Ivan K.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
apoptotic bodies
Biomolecules
cell clearance
Cell Communication
Cell death
Cell growth
Dismantling
Fragments
Humans
miRNA
Models, Biological
Morphology
Pathology
Phagocytes
Proteins
Stochasticity
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Summary:The disassembly of an apoptotic cell into subcellular fragments, termed apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), is a hallmark of apoptosis. Although the generation of ApoBDs is generally understood as being stochastic, it is becoming increasingly clear that ApoBD formation is a highly regulated process involving distinct morphological steps and molecular factors. Functionally, ApoBDs could facilitate the efficient clearance of apoptotic material by surrounding phagocytes as well as mediate the transfer of biomolecules including microRNAs and proteins between cells to aid in intercellular communications. Therefore, the formation of ApoBDs is an important process downstream from apoptotic cell death. We discuss here the mechanisms and functions of apoptotic cell disassembly.
ISSN:0962-8924
1879-3088
DOI:10.1016/j.tcb.2016.08.011