Apoptosis machinery in neurons

The apoptosis machinery in neurons encompasses the integrated network of molecular components responsible for executing programmed cell death in the nervous system (NIH, ResearchGate). This system is primarily composed of the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway, involving the Bcl-2 family of proteins and the formation of the apoptosome, and the extrinsic pathway, mediated by death receptors such as Fas and TNFR (NIH, Bio-conferences.org). In mature neurons, this machinery is highly restricted to ensure the longevity of post-mitotic cells, yet it can be pathologically reactivated by stressors like oxidative damage, excitotoxicity, or proteotoxic stress (NIH, ResearchGate). Such reactivation leads to the activation of executioner caspases, such as Caspase-3, resulting in the characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis and eventual cell loss (NIH, Exploration Pub). Targeting this machinery is a major therapeutic focus for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as acute conditions like stroke, where inhibitors of pro-apoptotic factors or mimetics of survival signals are being explored to prevent neuronal degeneration (NIH, Taylor & Francis Online).

Other names

Neuronal apoptotic pathwayProgrammed cell death machinery in neuronsIntrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in neuronsNeuronal cell death machinery

Caspase inhibition, Bcl-2 family modulation, inhibition of cytochrome c release, and inhibition of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP).