Apoptogenic factors apoptosis

The hemoprotein cytochrome c, located in the intermembrane space, serves a dual role in mitochondrial function [37]. First, it is essential for electron transfer from complex m to cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) during mitochondrial respiration. Second, cytochrome c is one of a number of apoptogenic or apoptosis-inducing factors (AIFs) involved in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis [10,11]. In response to certain proapoptotic stimuli, cytochrome c dissociates... 

Chaitanya GV, Babu PP (2008) Multiple apoptogenic proteins are involved in the nuclear translocation of Apoptosis Inducing Factor during transient focal cerebral ischemia in rat. Brain Res 1246 178-190... 

Ye H, Cande C, Stephanou NC et al. DNA binding is required for the apoptogenic action of apoptosis inducing factor. Nat Struct Biol 2002 9(9) 680-4. 

F, Jaattela M, Penninger JM, Pance A, Kroemer G, Garrido C (2003) Chemosensitization by a non-apoptogenic heat shock protein 70-binding apoptosis-inducing factor mutant. Cancer Res 63 8233-8240... 

The Bcl-2 family of oncoproteins is known to play an important role in apoptosis through their ability to regulate cytochrome c release from mitochondria [11,15]. The antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bc1-Xl prevent cytochrome c release, whereas the proapoptotic family members (e.g.. Bad, Bid, Bik, Bax) facilitate cytochrome c efflux or block the protective effects of Bcl-2 and Bc1-Xl. The mechanism involved is unclear the Bcl-2 family proteins may interact directly with the MTP (mitochondrial permeability transition) protein complex (the PTPC) or form independent ionic pores in the outer mitochondrial membrane (Fig. 3). Nonetheless, cytochrome c-depen-dent caspase-3 activation and changes in the expression or phosphorylation state of Bcl-2 family proteins are taken as indicative of mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathways. It is important to remember that other apoptogenic proteins are also present in the mitochondrial intermembrane space, including smac/ DIABLO and flavoprotein (AIF) [10,11,60]. The release stimuli for the latter factors, which are currently being elucidated, may also involve the permeability transition or the Bcl-2 family proteins [37]. 

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