Molecular suicide notes: last call from apoptosing cells

J Mol Cell Biol. 2010 Apr;2(2):78-80. doi: 10.1093/jmcb/mjp045. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Abstract

Dying cells actively attract professional phagocytes by sending out soluble 'find-me' signals. The characterization and identification of the corresponding molecular entities have revealed that 'find-me' signals come in different flavors, including peptides, proteins, lipids and complex structures, such as apoptotic microblebs. With the very recent report by Elliott et al., nucleotides as a novel nuance enter the menu.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Movement
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Nucleotides / metabolism
  • Phagocytosis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Nucleotides
  • Receptors, Cell Surface