Biopolymers and cell. 1997; 13 (5): 352 - 361

Why and how do cells die?

R. S. Stoika, A. A. Phylchenkov, B. R. Stoika

Review gives characteristics of the main causes of ceil death in tissues and organs of animals and man — apoptosis and necrosis. The main attention is paid to the mechanism!, of programmed cellular suicide by apoptosis. The data arc provided about the most important genes which are engaged in the regulation of apoptosis. It is concluded that study of molecular mechanisms of apoptosis can be useful in the elaboration of new generation of drugs for effecting the processes of cell death occurring during different diseases.