[Frontiers in Bioscience 13, 2495-2503, January 1, 2008]

[Frontiers in Bioscience 13, 2495-2503, January 1, 2008]

Role of caspase-independent apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases

Soochan Bae, Bhargavi Yalamarti, Peter M. Kang

Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Apoptosis in Cardiovascular Diseases
4. Overview of Caspase-dependent apoptosis
5. Caspase-independent apoptosis: 5.1. Apoptosis inducing factor; 5.2. Other factors involved in caspase-independent apoptosis
6. Autophagy
7. Conclusions and perspective
8. Acknowledgements
9. References

1. ABSTRACT

Apoptosis plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases, and inhibition of cardiac apoptosis shows promise as a therapeutic strategy. Caspase, a critical enzyme in the induction and execution of apoptosis, has been targeted to inhibit apoptosis. However a newly recognized caspase-independent apoptosis pathway may also play an important role in cardiac apoptosis. Yet the mechanism and the potential significance of caspase-independent apoptosis in the heart remain poorly understood. In this paper, we reviewed the literatures on the mechanism of caspase-independent apoptosis and its significance in cardiovascular diseases.