Apoptosis: Cell death or suicide. This is the problem!

Apoptosis is a form of physiological cell death, characterized by chromatin condensation, cytoplasmic blebbing and DNA fragmentation. This process is essential in many aspects of normal development and is required for maintaining homeostasis. The alteration of negative or positive balance of apoptosis is associated with diseases. Genetic studies in the nematode C. elegans have led to the isolation of genes that are specifically involved in the apoptotic programme. Recently, it has been demonstrated that some components of the apoptotic program are conserved among worms, insects and vertebrates. A complete understanding and a basis for properly integrating genetic, biochemical and cellular indicators of apoptosis are yet to be achieved. Further understanding of this pathway holds the promise of novel approaches to treatment of such disease.