Bcl‐2 family: Life‐or‐death switch

FEBS Letters

Shimizu, Shigeomi¹  Tsujimoto, Yoshihide¹ 

[1] Department of Medical Genetics, Biomedical Research Center, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, CREST of Japan Science and Technology Corp. (JST), 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

关键词: Apoptosis;    Bcl-2;    Mitochondrion;    Cytochrome c;    VDAC;   

DOI  :  10.1016/S0014-5793(99)01761-5

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

【 摘 要 】

The Bcl-2 family of proteins that consists of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic members determines life-or-death of a cell by controlling the release of mitochondrial apoptogenic factors, cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), that activate downstream executional phases, including the activation of death proteases called caspases. Cytochrome c release is, thus, central to apoptotic signal transduction in mammals, making study of the mechanism for cytochrome c release a major issue. Several models for cytochrome c release have been proposed, including rupture of mitochondrial outer membrane and involvement of a specific channel. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings on the role of Bcl-2 family members in the life-or-death decision of a cell.

【 授权许可】

Unknown