Pseudoapoptosis

Pseudoapoptosis can be defined from multiple viewpoints, with an underlying premise of the differences in cellular processes and states relating to apoptosis. Pseudoapoptosis can be referred to as an apoptotic-like cellular state that can be readily reversed,[1] or as a process that induces rapid apoptosis through the introduction of drugs such as bleomycin.[2]

Pseudoapoptosis has been used to define a cellular state closely resembling the initial stages of apoptosis, but asserts a readily reversible state of which a cell can resume normal cellular function. Chemical and morphological changes a cell may undergo associated with pseudoapoptosis include blebbing, plasma membrane lipid asymmetry, cytoskeleton alterations, changes in mitochondrial function, and increased concentration of cytosolic calcium. Regardless of these cellular alterations, pseudoapoptotic cells reverse these changes to resume normal cellular process.[1]

Pseudoapoptosis has also been used in some instances when describing an accelerated, drug induced apoptotic pathway by bleomycin. Cell death occurs as it would in apoptosis, but certain apoptotic mechanisms are not utilized when in the presence of bleomycin.[3][4]

  1. ^ a b Annmarie Surprenant, et al. "Pseudoapoptosis Induced By Brief Activation Of ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptors." Journal of Biological Chemistry 280.40 (2005): 33968-33976
  2. ^ Vorobjev, Pavel, Olessia Tchaika, and Valentina Zarytova. "Efficient Cleavage Of DS DNA By Bleomycin Conjugated Via Hexaethylene Glycol Linker To Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides." Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids 23.6/7 (2004): 1047-1051.
  3. ^ L M Mir, et al. "The Ratio Of Single- To Double-Strand DNA Breaks And Their Absolute Values Determine Cell Death Pathway." British Journal of Cancer 84.9 (2001): 1272
  4. ^ L M Mir, et al. "In Vivo Evolution Of Tumour Cells After The Generation Of Double-Strand DNA Breaks." British Journal of Cancer 88.11 (2003): 1763.