Apoptosis Significance and Molecular Mechanisms-A Review

Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is a pivotal defense against the occurrence of cancer and is essential to metazoans in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis exhibits a distinctive phenotype and involves elimination of potentially deleterious cells. Many diseases have been associated with aberrantly regulated apoptotic cell death, ultimately leading to inhibition of apoptosis and propagation of diseases such as cancer. This review highlights the significance of apoptosis, molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and various methods of causing cell death.