Journal article

The Role of the Apoptotic Machinery in Tumor Suppression

Alex RD Delbridge, Liz J Valente, Andreas Strasser

COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY | COLD SPRING HARBOR LAB PRESS, PUBLICATIONS DEPT | Published : 2012

Abstract

Multicellular organisms have evolved processes to prevent abnormal proliferation or inappropriate tissue infiltration of cells, and these tumor suppressive mechanisms serve to prevent tissue hyperplasia, tumor development, and metastatic spread of tumors. These include potentially reversible processes such as cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence, as well as apoptotic cell death, which in contrast eliminates dangerous cells that may initiate tumor development. Tumor suppressive processes are organized as complex, extensive signaling networks, controlled by central "nodes." These "nodes" are prominent tumor suppressors, such as P53 or PTEN, whose loss is responsible for the development of..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Australian NHMRC


Awarded by Cancer Council of Victoria, NIH


Awarded by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society


Awarded by JDRF/NHMRC


Funding Acknowledgements

The authors thank all present and pastmembers of the apoptosis research programs at WEHI, particularly Drs. J. Adams, S. Cory, D. Vaux, D. Huang, P. Colman, P. Bouillet, A. Harris, R. Kluck, J. Silke, and C. Scott, for their outstanding contributions to cell death research and for stimulating discussions. Research in the authors' laboratories is supported by fellowships and grants from the Australian NHMRC (257502, 461299), Cancer Council of Victoria, NIH (CA 043540), Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS SCOR 7413), and the JDRF/NHMRC (466658).