DNA fragmentation in apoptosis and homeostasis

Apoptosis is a highly regulated physiological process critical in development and tissue homeostasis. Abnormal apoptosis can lead to disease conditions including neurodegeneration, autoimmunity and cancer. DNA fragmentation is an integral part of apoptosis and has long been suspected to be of critical importance in cleaning up potentially antigenic DNA and genetic material capable of inducing neoplasmic transformation in neighboring cells. Direct evidence for this function of DNA fragmentation however, is still lacking. The identification of a heterodimeric DNA fragmentation factor 45 and 40 (DFF45 and DFF40, also called ICAD for Inhibitor of Caspase Activated DNase and CAD for Caspase Activated DNase respectively) as well as