Work

The Intricate Balance between Life and Death: ROS, Cathepsins, and Their Interplay in Cell Death and Autophagy

Year: 2024

Type: review

Abstract: Cellular survival hinges on a delicate balance between accumulating damages and repair mechanisms. In this intricate equilibrium, oxidants, currently considered physiological molecules, can compromise vital cellular components, ultimately triggering cell death. On the other hand, cells possess countermeasures, such as autophagy, which degrades and recycles damaged molecules and organelles, restoring homeostasis. Lysosomes and their enzymatic arsenal, including cathepsins, play critical roles in this balance, influencing the cell's fate toward either apoptosis and other mechanisms of regulated cell death or autophagy. However, the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cathepsins in these life-or-death pathways transcends a simple cause-and-effect relationship. These elements directly and indirectly influence each other's activities, creating a complex web of interactions. This review delves into the inner workings of regulated cell death and autophagy, highlighting the pivotal role of ROS and cathepsins in these pathways and their intricate interplay.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074087

Authors: Maya V. Voronina, Anastasia S. Frolova, Ekaterina P. Kolesova, Nikita A. Kuldyushev, Alessandro Parodi, Andrey A. Zamyatnin

Institutions: Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sechenov University, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Language: English

Topic: Autophagy in Disease and Therapy

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,296

Funder: Russian Science Foundation