Molecular Characteristics of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Figure 3

Apoptosis. Apoptosis is induced by executioner caspases upon activation by the apoptosome complex. This complex consists, among others, of cytochrome C, Caspase-9, and Apaf1 and is released from the mitochondria when proapoptotic signaling by Bak/Bax outweighs antiapoptotic signaling by Bcl2/Bcl-X(L). PI3K activates Akt through phosphorylation which subsequently activates NF-κB. NF-κB stimulates antiapoptotic signaling by Bcl2 and Bcl-X(L). Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) can inhibit apoptosis at the end of the signaling cascade by direct inhibition of the executioner caspases.