Autophagy is activated by apoptotic signalling in sympathetic neurons: an alternative mechanism of death execution

L Xue, GC Fletcher, AM Tolkovsky - Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 1999 - Elsevier
Autophagy is a mechanism whereby cells digest themselves from within and so may be
used in lieu of apoptosis to execute cell death. Little is known about its role in neurons. In
newly isolated sympathetic neurons, two independent apoptotic stimuli, NGF-deprivation or
cytosine arabinoside added in the presence of NGF, caused a 30-fold increase in
autophagic particle numbers, many autophagosomes appearing before any signs of DNA-
fragmentation. The anti-autophagic drug 3-methyladenine also delayed apoptosis, its …