caspase-independent cellular death
Caspase activation has been frequently viewed as synonymous with apoptotic cell death; however, caspases can also contribute to processes that do not culminate in cell demise. Moreover, inhibition of caspases can have cytoprotective effects.
In a number of different models, caspase inhibition does not maintain cellular viability and instead shifts the morphology of death from apoptosis to nonapoptotic pathways.
See also
caspases
cell death
apoptotic morphology
cell death inhibition
catabolic hydrolases
mitochondrial membrane permeabilization
References
Kroemer G, Martin SJ. Caspase-independent cell death. Nat Med. 2005 Jul;11(7):725-30. PMID: #16015365#
Abraham MC, Shaham S. Death without caspases, caspases without death. Trends Cell Biol. 2004 Apr;14(4):184-93. PMID: #15066636#
Mathiasen IS, Jaattela M. Triggering caspase-independent cell death to combat cancer. Trends Mol Med. 2002 May;8(5):212-20. PMID: #12067630#