History of apoptosis research

1. The formation of the concept of apoptosis In 1965, Australian scientists found that after ligation of the rat portal vein, the electron microscope observed some scattered dead cells in the liver parenchyma. The lysosomes of these cells were not damaged, which was obviously different from cell necrosis. These cells shrink in volume, agglutinate chromatin, fall off from the surrounding tissues and are engulfed, and the body has no inflammatory reaction. In 1972, Kerr and other three scientists first put forward the concept of apoptosis, declaring the beginning of the real exploration of apoptosis. Before that, the research on embryonic development biology, immune system, and liver cell death had laid the foundation for this concept.

2. Morphological and biochemical research stage of apoptosis (1972-1987).

1) The morphological characteristics were studied in detail by light microscope and electron microscope.

2) Degradation of chromosome DNA: A significant feature of cell apoptosis is the degradation of DNA in cell chromatin. The rule of DNA fragment size during apoptosis is an integral multiple of 200bp.

3) Synthesis of RNA/protein macromolecules.

4) The change of calcium ion and the increase of intracellular calcium ion concentration is an important condition for cell apoptosis.

5) Endonuclease: This endonuclease is required for cell apoptosis.

3. Molecular biology research stage of apoptosis.

1) Related genes and regulation of apoptosis.

2) Signal transduction of apoptosis.

3) Various molecules involved in apoptosis and their interactions and interrelationships.

4. Basic research stage of clinical application of apoptosis The vitality of apoptosis research is that it can ultimately help clarify the mechanism of disease, and explore and come out new therapies.