anoikis


anoikis

A type of programmed cell death (apoptosis) that is induced by a loss of correct cell/extracellular matrix attachment. Cells require intact integrin family receptors to suppress anoikis, and the process requires mitochondrial membrane permeabilisation; certain cells (e.g., epithelial and endothelial cells) are more resistant to anoikis.
Anoikis resistance can be induced through activation of extracellular signalling-receptor kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling cascade by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Metastatic cells are resistant to anoikis and often have increased levels of the death receptor-inhibiting protein FLIP.

anoikis

(a-ny'-kis) [ ¹an- + Gr. oikia, house + -(s)is] Programmed cell death occurring in epithelial cells. It is associated with loss of the normal ability to establish contacts between the cell and the extracellular matrix. See: apoptosis

anoikis

a special form of APOPTOSIS, whereby cells undergo cell death after disruption of cell-matrix interactions. Anoikis ensures that cells are unable to survive in inappropriate locations. It occurs when epithelial cells (see EPITHELIUM are either not bound to the matrix via INTEGRINS or are bound via the wrong integrins. The process is also called detachment-induced cell death or suspension-induced apoptosis.