Regulation of death receptor-induced apoptosis induced via CD95/Fas and other death receptors

Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is common to all multicellular organisms. Apoptosis can be triggered by the extrinsic (death receptor (DR)) or the intrinsic (mitochondrial) death pathways. Apoptosis plays the central role for the cell differentiation, removal of the damaged cells and the homeostasis of the immune system. CD95 (APO-1/Fas) is a member of the DR family, which was discovered more than 20 years ago. This review is focused on the mechanisms of DR-induced apoptosis focusing on CD95 (APO-1/Fas)-mediated apoptosis and the role of the anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP in the extrinsic apoptosis. Regulation of apoptosis plays the central role in the immune system and apoptosis deregulation leads to a number of diseases. Gaining insights into these processes will improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and AIDS, and will open new approaches to rational treatment strategies.