Cell Death, Core Genes, & BCL-2 Family Function

Question 1

What is the Greek origin and meaning of the term “apoptosis”?

Question 2

How does apoptosis differ from necrosis in terms of inflammation?

Question 3

What are the key functions of cell death in organisms?

Question 4

How do trophic factors influence neuron survival during nervous system development?

Question 5

Which organism was used in pioneering studies to isolate core cell death genes?

Question 6

Name the four core cell death genes identified in C. elegans.

Question 7

What is the mammalian homologue of the C. elegans ced-9 gene?

Question 8

Which protein family does Bcl-2 belong to, and what is its role?

Question 9

What are the two main apoptotic pathways in mammalian cells?

Question 10

How does the extrinsic apoptotic pathway initiate cell death?

Question 11

What role does Cytochrome C play in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway?

Question 12

Describe the function of the apoptosome in cell death.

Question 13

How do pro-survival Bcl-2 family members prevent apoptosis?

Question 14

What is the role of Bax and Bak in mitochondrial membrane permeability?

Question 15

How do BH3-only proteins contribute to apoptosis regulation?

Question 16

What is the relationship between p53 and apoptosis?

Question 17

How can cell survival be enhanced by suppressing apoptosis?

Question 18

What is the significance of Bcl-2 overexpression in follicular lymphomas?

Question 19

Explain the concept of BH3 mimetics in cancer therapy.

Question 20

What is ABT-199/venetoclax, and for which condition was it approved?

Question 21

How do BH3 mimetics target different pro-survival BCL-2 family members?

Question 22

What is meant by “priming” of cancer cells in the context of BH3 mimetics?

Question 23

How does the balance between anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic signals determine cell fate?

Question 24

What role does the Apaf-1 protein play in the apoptotic process?

Question 25

How do caspases contribute to the execution of apoptosis?

Question 26

What is the significance of Cytochrome C release from mitochondria?

Question 27

How do pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members induce mitochondrial membrane permeability?

Question 28

Describe the role of Bad phosphorylation in cell survival.

Question 29

How does the intrinsic apoptotic pathway differ from the extrinsic pathway?

Question 30

What is the connection between impaired apoptosis and tumourigenesis?