Friday, February 29, 2008

Key Step In Programmed Cell Death Discovered

Source: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Date: February 29, 2008

Summary:

Investigators have discovered a dance of proteins that protects certain cells from undergoing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death. Understanding the fine points of apoptosis is important to researchers seeking ways to control this process. In a series of experiments, St. Jude researchers found that if any one of three molecules is missing, certain cells lose the ability to protect themselves from apoptosis. A report on this work appears in the advance online publication of Nature.