Apoptosis and survival pathway proteins

Apoptosis and survival pathway proteins represent a complex network of signaling molecules that dictate whether a cell lives or undergoes programmed cell death (NIH, 2023). This network includes the BCL-2 family of regulators, the caspase family of proteases, and various survival-promoting kinases such as AKT and MAPK (UniProt, 2024). In healthy tissues, these pathways maintain homeostasis by eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells. However, in diseases like cancer, these pathways are often subverted to promote uncontrolled cell survival and resistance to therapy (PubMed, 2022). Conversely, in neurodegenerative diseases, excessive activation of apoptotic pathways leads to premature cell loss. While many individual proteins within these pathways are validated therapeutic targets, the term itself refers to a broad biological process rather than a single, specific molecular entity. Consequently, this entry is classified as a pathway or functional group rather than a discrete therapeutic target.

Other names

Programmed cell death pathwayCell survival signaling networkApoptotic signaling proteinsCell death and survival regulators

Drugs targeting these pathways typically act by inhibiting anti-apoptotic proteins (e.g., BCL-2 inhibitors), activating pro-apoptotic signaling (e.g., TRAIL receptor agonists), or blocking survival-promoting kinases (e.g., PI3K/AKT inhibitors) to restore the homeostatic balance between cell life and death (PubMed, 2022).