Apoptosis Inducers

Apoptosis inducers are compounds that trigger programmed cell death through mitochondrial, caspase or stress pathways. Apoptosis is a regulated form of cell death marked by caspase activation, chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage. Inducers serve to study how cells commit to death and as positive controls in cell death assays. Tasisulam, an acylsulfonamide, is described as acting through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway with caspase activation. Homoharringtonine, a Cephalotaxus alkaloid, inhibits protein synthesis and lowers signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Episilvestrol, a rocaglate from Aglaia plants, targets eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A). Compounds acting on one defined apoptosis regulator are listed in sibling categories such as Bcl-2 Family and Caspase.