Mitochondria and cell death: outer membrane permeabilization and beyond

Tait, S.W.G. and Green, D.R. (2010) Mitochondria and cell death: outer membrane permeabilization and beyond. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 11(9), pp. 621-632. (doi: 10.1038/nrm2952)

Abstract

Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is often required for activation of the caspase proteases that cause apoptotic cell death. Various intermembrane space (IMS) proteins, such as cytochrome c, promote caspase activation following their mitochondrial release. As a consequence, mitochondrial outer membrane integrity is highly controlled, primarily through interactions between pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) protein family. Following MOMP by pro-apoptotic BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) or BCL-2 antagonist or killer (BAK), additional regulatory mechanisms govern the mitochondrial release of IMS proteins and caspase activity. MOMP typically leads to cell death irrespective of caspase activity by causing a progressive decline in mitochondrial function, although cells can survive this under certain circumstances, which may have pathophysiological consequences.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tait, Professor Stephen
• Authors: Tait, S.W.G., and Green, D.R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
• Journal Abbr.: Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol
• ISSN: 1471-0072
• ISSN (Online): 1471-0080