Necroptosis

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs under certain pathological conditions. Unlike apoptosis, which is a form of cell death that is generally beneficial to the organism, necroptosis is often associated with inflammation and tissue damage.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrosis, which is distinct from the uncontrolled process of necrosis. It is characterized by the swelling of organelles and the rupture of the cell membrane, leading to the release of cell contents into the extracellular space. This can trigger an inflammatory response and contribute to the progression of various diseases.

Mechanism[edit | edit source]

The process of necroptosis is initiated by the activation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and its interaction with mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). This interaction leads to the phosphorylation and activation of MLKL, which then translocates to the cell membrane and causes its rupture.

Role in Disease[edit | edit source]

Necroptosis has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. In these contexts, the inhibition of necroptosis has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Therapeutic Potential[edit | edit source]

Several drugs that inhibit the key proteins involved in necroptosis, such as RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL, are currently under investigation. These drugs have the potential to reduce inflammation and tissue damage in diseases where necroptosis plays a key role.

File:Necroptosis Pathway.jpg
The necroptosis pathway. Activation of RIPK3 and MLKL leads to cell membrane rupture and cell death.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


‎ ‎


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD